Monday 2 September 2024

What is free will?

Photo by Khashayar Kouchpeydeh on Unsplash

Philosophy Now Article

Please find the following article: - What is Free Will?

Some Questions for Discussion

What is freedom?
What is Free Will?
Am I really free to do whatever I like?
What are the external obstacles to one's freedom?
What are the internal obstacles, both mental and physical, to one's freedom?
People, and other social animals, give up some freedom to live in communities for survival and happiness. What are some reasons people should give up some freedom?
How much freedom is appropriate for people living in a community?

Some questions from Bing Copilot

Philosophical questions about freedom and free will delve into some of the most profound and complex aspects of human existence. Here are a few key questions:

1. What is free will?
- Is it the ability to make choices free from external constraints, or does it require the absence of internal constraints as well?

2. Do humans have free will?
- Are our actions determined by prior causes, or do we have the genuine ability to choose differently?

3. What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?

- Can we be held morally responsible for our actions if they are determined by factors beyond our control?

4. How does free will relate to determinism?
- If the universe operates according to deterministic laws, is free will an illusion?

5. What role does free will play in the concept of personal identity?

- How do our choices shape who we are, and can we change our identity through the exercise of free will?

6. Can free will coexist with divine omniscience?
- If a deity knows everything that will happen, do we still have the freedom to choose?

7. How do different philosophical traditions view free will?
- What are the perspectives of existentialism, compatibilism, libertarianism, and other schools of thought on free will?

8. What are the implications of free will for legal and social systems?
- How should our understanding of free will influence laws, punishments, and social policies?

These questions have been debated for centuries and continue to inspire rich philosophical inquiry. Do any of these questions particularly resonate with you or spark your curiosity?

Monday 26 August 2024

Consequentialism

PHILOSOPHY - Ethics: Consequentialism

by Wireless Philosophy

The above video provides an introduction to Consequentialism. The most well known type of consequentialism is utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #36

by CrashCourse

A longer video of Utilitarianism by Professor Jeffrey Kaplan can be found here.

Some questions for discussion

What are the different types of consequentialism?
What are some of the advantages of consequentialism as an ethical theory?
What are some of the criticisms of consequentialism and their responses?
What is the principle of utility according to Jeremy Bentham?

Some questions from Bing Copilot

Consequentialism is a fascinating ethical theory that evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes. Here are some thought-provoking questions you might consider:

What is the core principle of consequentialism?
How does consequentialism differ from deontological ethics and virtue ethics?
What are some real-world examples where consequentialist reasoning is applied?
What are the main criticisms of consequentialism?
How does utilitarianism, a form of consequentialism, determine the morality of an action?
Can consequentialism justify actions that are generally considered immoral if they lead to a greater good?
How do consequentialists handle situations where the outcomes are uncertain or unpredictable?
What role does the concept of “the greatest good for the greatest number” play in consequentialist ethics?
How do different forms of consequentialism (e.g., act vs. rule consequentialism) approach ethical decision-making?
What are the potential limitations of using a consequentialist framework in complex moral dilemmas?

These questions can help you delve deeper into the nuances and complexities of consequentialist ethics¹²³.

References:

ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu
ethics.org.au
oxfordbibliographies.com

Possible answers

Please find possible answers here.

Introduction to Ethics

Introduction to ethics

Please find a PDF printout of the above diagram here.

The following article from Wikipedia provides an Introduction to Ethics.

Some discussion questions on ethics

Do you have an ethical system that you use in making ethical or moral decisions?
Do you find the Wikipedia article on Ethics adequately describes the field of ethics?
What are some ethical questions or dilemmas you have encountered?
Do you think the study of ethics will help you make better ethical decisions?

Some possible answers to the above questions can be found here.

Here are some thought-provoking discussion questions on ethics from Bing co-pilot:

Is it ever okay to lie? If so, when and why?
Do you believe that everyone should have equal rights? Why or why not?
If you discovered that a popular product you use daily was produced unethically (e.g., using child labour or harming the environment), would you continue to use it? Why or why not?
Is it ethical to use animals for testing products or scientific research?
Should companies be allowed to patent life-saving medications, potentially limiting access to those who cannot afford them? Why or why not?
Should we always help someone in need, even if it puts us at risk?
Is it ethical to prioritise the education of gifted students over those with learning difficulties or disabilities?

These questions can help spark deep and meaningful conversations about various ethical dilemmas and perspectives¹². Do any of these questions resonate with you or seem particularly interesting?

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 27/08/2024

(1) 40 Ethical Conversation Questions for Engaging Discussion. https://eslconversationtopics.com/questions/ethical-discussions/.

(2) 28 Top Moral Dilemma Questions [+ Scenarios & Examples] - IcebreakerIdeas. https://icebreakerideas.com/moral-dilemma-questions/.

(3) Discussion Questions and Exercises | Online Resources. https://edge.sagepub.com/northouse8e/student-resources-0/chapter-13/discussion-questions-and-exercises.

(4) 200 Ethical Topics & Questions to Debate in Essay - GradesFixer. https://gradesfixer.com/blog/200-ethical-topics-questions-to-debate-in-essay/.

(5) ESL Conversation Questions - Ethics. https://www.eslconversationquestions.com/ethics/.