Posted by Random at 10:45pm Nov 5 '04Determinism
Determinists assume that all human behavior has a definite cause; in other words, we act in certain ways because of past experiences or biological factors. For example, determinists believe that people are aggressive, not because they choose to behave in this way but because their past history or their genetic inheritance leads automatically to aggression. This suggests that we are simply passive responders; our behavior is determined by our past and we have no control over it. A consequence of this approach is that determinists believe that they are able to predict behavior. If we assume the alternative view, i.e. that behavior does not have specific causes,then it is hard to see how behavior could ever be predicted; for this reason, most psychologists believe in some sort of determinism.
However, many psychologists see 'proper' determinism as too extreme and favor what is known as soft determinism. Although this still supports the idea that all behavior has a cause, it allows us to distinguish between behavior that is highly constrained by the situation (and thus appears involuntary) and behavior that is only moderately constrained (and therefore appears voluntary). For example, a child may apologize for swearing either because s/he is threatened with punishment if an apology is not made (highly constrained behavior i.e. 'determined') or because s/he is genuinely upset (moderately constrained behavior i.e. chosen by the child).
Free Will
The opposite view to determinism, is the belief in free will. This is the idea that people have complete freedom to choose what they do at all times. Psychologists who support the idea of freewill argue that suggesting that human behavior is determined by external/biological forces is 'de-humanizing' in that it treats people as if they are machines or animals.
Determinism- the theory that all human action is caused entirely by preceding events, and not by the exercise of the Will. In philosophy, the theory is based on the metaphysical principle that an uncaused event is impossible.
Free will- The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will
(Helpful Link)
Which point of view do you believe in? Why?
Determinists assume that all human behavior has a definite cause; in other words, we act in certain ways because of past experiences or biological factors. For example, determinists believe that people are aggressive, not because they choose to behave in this way but because their past history or their genetic inheritance leads automatically to aggression. This suggests that we are simply passive responders; our behavior is determined by our past and we have no control over it. A consequence of this approach is that determinists believe that they are able to predict behavior. If we assume the alternative view, i.e. that behavior does not have specific causes,then it is hard to see how behavior could ever be predicted; for this reason, most psychologists believe in some sort of determinism.
However, many psychologists see 'proper' determinism as too extreme and favor what is known as soft determinism. Although this still supports the idea that all behavior has a cause, it allows us to distinguish between behavior that is highly constrained by the situation (and thus appears involuntary) and behavior that is only moderately constrained (and therefore appears voluntary). For example, a child may apologize for swearing either because s/he is threatened with punishment if an apology is not made (highly constrained behavior i.e. 'determined') or because s/he is genuinely upset (moderately constrained behavior i.e. chosen by the child).
Free Will
The opposite view to determinism, is the belief in free will. This is the idea that people have complete freedom to choose what they do at all times. Psychologists who support the idea of freewill argue that suggesting that human behavior is determined by external/biological forces is 'de-humanizing' in that it treats people as if they are machines or animals.
Determinism- the theory that all human action is caused entirely by preceding events, and not by the exercise of the Will. In philosophy, the theory is based on the metaphysical principle that an uncaused event is impossible.
Free will- The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will
(Helpful Link)
Which point of view do you believe in? Why?