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Free Will and Determinism

2 dot points, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

If everything is caused by prior events, can we ever act freely or be morally responsible?

Free will and determinism: hard determinism, libertarianism and compatibilism

The free will debate covering hard determinism, libertarian free will and compatibilism, the consequence argument, and what each position implies for moral responsibility.

6 min read →

If our choices are determined, can anyone deserve punishment or be held morally responsible?

Implications of free will positions for moral responsibility and punishment

How the free will debate bears on moral responsibility and punishment in TASC Unit 3, covering basic desert, retribution versus deterrence and reform, and determinism as a legal defence.

6 min read →