The Argument from Equality

Description: The Argument from Equality is a philosophical argument that seeks to demonstrate that free will is incompatible with determinism. It is based on the premise that if determinism is true, then our actions are entirely determined by prior causes, and therefore we cannot be held morally responsible for them.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy philosophy of free will the argument from equality
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What is the main premise of the Argument from Equality?

  1. If determinism is true, then our actions are entirely determined by prior causes.

  2. If determinism is true, then we cannot be held morally responsible for our actions.

  3. If determinism is true, then we have no control over our actions.

  4. If determinism is true, then we are not free to choose our actions.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Argument from Equality begins with the premise that if determinism is true, then our actions are entirely determined by prior causes. This means that everything we do is the result of a chain of events that was set in motion before we were even born.

What does the Argument from Equality conclude?

  1. Determinism is incompatible with free will.

  2. Free will is incompatible with determinism.

  3. Determinism is compatible with free will.

  4. Free will is compatible with determinism.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Argument from Equality concludes that if determinism is true, then free will is incompatible with determinism. This is because if our actions are entirely determined by prior causes, then we cannot be held morally responsible for them. And if we cannot be held morally responsible for our actions, then we cannot be said to have free will.

What is the main objection to the Argument from Equality?

  1. The argument relies on a false dichotomy.

  2. The argument is based on a misunderstanding of determinism.

  3. The argument ignores the role of consciousness in free will.

  4. The argument is too simplistic.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main objection to the Argument from Equality is that it relies on a false dichotomy. The argument presents a choice between determinism and free will, as if these are the only two options. However, there are other possibilities, such as compatibilism, which holds that determinism and free will are not necessarily incompatible.

What is compatibilism?

  1. The view that determinism and free will are compatible.

  2. The view that determinism is incompatible with free will.

  3. The view that free will is incompatible with determinism.

  4. The view that neither determinism nor free will is true.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Compatibilism is the view that determinism and free will are compatible. Compatibilists argue that even if our actions are determined by prior causes, we can still be held morally responsible for them if we have the ability to choose between different courses of action.

What is the main argument in favor of compatibilism?

  1. The argument from alternative possibilities.

  2. The argument from moral responsibility.

  3. The argument from consciousness.

  4. The argument from libertarianism.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main argument in favor of compatibilism is the argument from alternative possibilities. This argument states that even if our actions are determined by prior causes, we still have the ability to choose between different courses of action. This is because there are always multiple possible courses of action that we could take in any given situation.

What is the main argument against compatibilism?

  1. The argument from determinism.

  2. The argument from moral responsibility.

  3. The argument from consciousness.

  4. The argument from libertarianism.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main argument against compatibilism is the argument from determinism. This argument states that if determinism is true, then we cannot have the ability to choose between different courses of action. This is because our choices would be determined by prior causes, and therefore we would not be free to choose otherwise.

What is libertarianism?

  1. The view that free will is incompatible with determinism.

  2. The view that determinism is incompatible with free will.

  3. The view that determinism and free will are compatible.

  4. The view that neither determinism nor free will is true.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Libertarianism is the view that free will is incompatible with determinism. Libertarians argue that we have the ability to choose between different courses of action, even if our choices are not determined by prior causes.

What is the main argument in favor of libertarianism?

  1. The argument from consciousness.

  2. The argument from moral responsibility.

  3. The argument from alternative possibilities.

  4. The argument from determinism.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main argument in favor of libertarianism is the argument from consciousness. This argument states that our consciousness gives us the ability to choose between different courses of action, even if our choices are not determined by prior causes.

What is the main argument against libertarianism?

  1. The argument from determinism.

  2. The argument from moral responsibility.

  3. The argument from alternative possibilities.

  4. The argument from consciousness.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main argument against libertarianism is the argument from determinism. This argument states that if determinism is true, then we cannot have the ability to choose between different courses of action. This is because our choices would be determined by prior causes, and therefore we would not be free to choose otherwise.

Which of the following is not a type of determinism?

  1. Causal determinism.

  2. Logical determinism.

  3. Compatibilism.

  4. Theological determinism.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Compatibilism is not a type of determinism because it does not hold that our actions are entirely determined by prior causes. Compatibilists argue that even if our actions are determined by prior causes, we can still be held morally responsible for them if we have the ability to choose between different courses of action.

Which of the following is not a type of libertarianism?

  1. Metaphysical libertarianism.

  2. Epistemic libertarianism.

  3. Compatibilism.

  4. Physical libertarianism.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Compatibilism is not a type of libertarianism because it does not hold that our actions are entirely free from prior causes. Compatibilists argue that even if our actions are determined by prior causes, we can still be held morally responsible for them if we have the ability to choose between different courses of action.

Which of the following is not a type of compatibilism?

  1. Soft determinism.

  2. Hard determinism.

  3. Agent causation.

  4. Alternative possibilities.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Hard determinism is not a type of compatibilism because it holds that our actions are entirely determined by prior causes. Compatibilists argue that even if our actions are determined by prior causes, we can still be held morally responsible for them if we have the ability to choose between different courses of action.

Which of the following is not a type of agent causation?

  1. Mental causation.

  2. Physical causation.

  3. Divine causation.

  4. Causal determinism.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Causal determinism is not a type of agent causation because it does not hold that our actions are caused by our own mental states. Agent causation holds that our actions are caused by our own mental states, such as our beliefs, desires, and intentions.

Which of the following is not a type of divine causation?

  1. Theistic causation.

  2. Deistic causation.

  3. Pantheistic causation.

  4. Compatibilism.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Compatibilism is not a type of divine causation because it does not hold that our actions are caused by God. Divine causation holds that our actions are caused by God.

Which of the following is not a type of alternative possibilities?

  1. Metaphysical possibilities.

  2. Epistemic possibilities.

  3. Physical possibilities.

  4. Logical possibilities.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Logical possibilities are not a type of alternative possibilities because they are not possibilities that could actually occur. Logical possibilities are possibilities that are logically consistent, but they may not be physically possible or metaphysically possible.

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