Determinism vs. Free Will

Description: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the philosophical debate between determinism and free will. Determinism is the belief that all events, including human actions, are predetermined by prior causes. Free will, on the other hand, is the belief that humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy determinism free will
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What is the main difference between determinism and free will?

  1. Determinism claims that all events are predetermined, while free will claims that humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes.

  2. Determinism claims that humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes, while free will claims that all events are predetermined.

  3. Determinism claims that all events are predetermined, while free will claims that humans have the ability to make choices that are determined by prior causes.

  4. Determinism claims that humans have the ability to make choices that are determined by prior causes, while free will claims that all events are predetermined.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Determinism and free will are two opposing philosophical views on the nature of human action. Determinism claims that all events, including human actions, are predetermined by prior causes. Free will, on the other hand, claims that humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes.

Which of the following is an argument for determinism?

  1. The laws of physics are deterministic.

  2. Humans are not free to choose their own actions.

  3. The future is predetermined.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are several arguments for determinism. One argument is that the laws of physics are deterministic. This means that the future is predetermined, and therefore, humans do not have free will. Another argument for determinism is that humans are not free to choose their own actions. This is because our actions are determined by our genes, our environment, and our past experiences.

Which of the following is an argument against determinism?

  1. Humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes.

  2. The laws of physics are not deterministic.

  3. The future is not predetermined.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are several arguments against determinism. One argument is that humans have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes. This is because we have the ability to think and reason, and to make decisions based on our own values and beliefs. Another argument against determinism is that the laws of physics are not deterministic. This means that the future is not predetermined, and therefore, humans do have free will.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from ignorance?

  1. It relies on the assumption that we know everything about the universe.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that humans have free will.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from ignorance is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because we do not know that it is false. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that we know everything about the universe. However, we do not know everything about the universe, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because we do not know that it is false.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from free will?

  1. It relies on the assumption that humans have free will.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from free will is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is necessary for human freedom. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is necessary for human freedom.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from determinism?

  1. It relies on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that humans do not have free will.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from determinism is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is implied by the laws of physics. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic. However, we cannot prove that the laws of physics are deterministic, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is implied by the laws of physics.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from moral responsibility?

  1. It relies on the assumption that humans have free will.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from moral responsibility is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is necessary for moral responsibility. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is necessary for moral responsibility.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from consciousness?

  1. It relies on the assumption that consciousness is real.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from consciousness is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is implied by consciousness. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that consciousness is real. However, we cannot prove that consciousness is real, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is implied by consciousness.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from libertarianism?

  1. It relies on the assumption that humans have free will.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from libertarianism is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is implied by libertarianism. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is implied by libertarianism.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from compatibilism?

  1. It relies on the assumption that humans have free will.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from compatibilism is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is compatible with both determinism and free will. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is compatible with both determinism and free will.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from hard determinism?

  1. It relies on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that humans do not have free will.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from hard determinism is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is implied by hard determinism. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic. However, we cannot prove that the laws of physics are deterministic, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is implied by hard determinism.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from soft determinism?

  1. It relies on the assumption that the laws of physics are deterministic.

  2. It is based on the assumption that the future is predetermined.

  3. It is based on the assumption that humans have free will.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The argument from soft determinism is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is implied by soft determinism. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is implied by soft determinism.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from theodicy?

  1. It relies on the assumption that God exists.

  2. It is based on the assumption that God is all-powerful.

  3. It is based on the assumption that God is all-good.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from theodicy is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is necessary to explain the existence of evil. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that God exists. However, we cannot prove that God exists, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is necessary to explain the existence of evil.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from the problem of evil?

  1. It relies on the assumption that God exists.

  2. It is based on the assumption that God is all-powerful.

  3. It is based on the assumption that God is all-good.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from the problem of evil is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is false because it is incompatible with the existence of evil. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that God exists. However, we cannot prove that God exists, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is false simply because it is incompatible with the existence of evil.

Which of the following is a problem with the argument from the free will defense?

  1. It relies on the assumption that humans have free will.

  2. It is based on the assumption that God is all-powerful.

  3. It is based on the assumption that God is all-good.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from the free will defense is a logical fallacy that states that a proposition is true because it is necessary to explain the existence of evil. This argument is problematic because it relies on the assumption that humans have free will. However, we cannot prove that humans have free will, and therefore, we cannot say for certain that a proposition is true simply because it is necessary to explain the existence of evil.

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