Free Will vs. Determinism: Explore the Philosophical Debate

Question 1

Who is primarily associated with the compatibilist perspective on free will?

Accepted Answer

Daniel Dennett

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

David Hume

Answer

René Descartes

Question 2

**Which of the following arguments contends that our actions are entirely predetermined by preceding events, negating the existence of genuine free will?**

Accepted Answer

Determinism

Answer

Existentialism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 3

**The belief that individuals possess genuine freedom of choice and are ultimately accountable for their actions is known as:**

Accepted Answer

Free Will

Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Indeterminism

Question 4

**The philosophical position that emphasizes that our choices are ultimately determined by factors outside our control, such as genetics and upbringing, is known as:**

Accepted Answer

Hard Determinism

Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Existentialism

Answer

Soft Determinism

Question 5

**The concept of 'uncaused events' is primarily associated with which philosophical stance?**

Accepted Answer

Indeterminism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Determinism

Answer

Fatalism

Question 6

**The idea that our future is predetermined, regardless of our actions, aligns with which philosophical concept?**

Accepted Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Determinism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 7

**Which of the following best describes the philosophical position that emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility, arguing that we are not simply products of our circumstances?**

Accepted Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Hard Determinism

Question 8

**The thought experiment known as 'the Laplacean Demon' is often used to illustrate the concept of:**

Accepted Answer

Determinism

Answer

Indeterminism

Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Compatibilism

Question 9

**The idea that free will and determinism can coexist, with free choices occurring within a deterministic framework, is a central tenet of:**

Accepted Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Hard Determinism

Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Fatalism

Question 10

**Which of the following is **NOT** a significant implication of the free will-determinism debate for our understanding of morality?**

Accepted Answer

The existence of a supernatural deity

Answer

The nature of responsibility

Answer

The meaning of ethical decision-making

Answer

The justification of punishment

Question 11

Determinism is the philosophical view that:

Accepted Answer

Every event, including human actions, is causally determined by preceding events.

Answer

Humans have complete freedom of choice, unconstrained by any external factors.

Answer

Events are random and unpredictable, with no underlying cause.

Question 12

The argument that determinism makes moral responsibility impossible is known as:

Accepted Answer

Incompatibilism

Answer

The Free Will Argument

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 13

Which philosopher argued that even if our actions are predetermined, we can still be considered free if we act in accordance with our desires?

Accepted Answer

Harry Frankfurt

Answer

John Locke

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

David Hume

Question 14

The idea that our choices are determined by our desires and beliefs, even if these are themselves caused by prior events, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Soft Determinism

Answer

Hard Determinism

Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 15

Which argument supports the existence of free will, suggesting that we have direct experience of making choices?

Accepted Answer

The Argument from Introspection

Answer

The Argument from Divine Foreknowledge

Answer

The Argument from Quantum Mechanics

Answer

The Argument from Universal Causation

Question 16

The main difference between hard determinism and libertarianism is that:

Accepted Answer

Hard determinism denies free will, while libertarianism affirms it.

Answer

Hard determinism believes in fate, while libertarianism believes in chance.

Answer

Hard determinism relies on science, while libertarianism relies on philosophy.

Question 17

Someone who believes that our choices are ultimately determined, but that we can still be held morally responsible, would be considered a(n):

Accepted Answer

Compatibilist

Answer

Libertarian

Answer

Fatalist

Answer

Incompatibilist

Question 18

The argument that free will is an illusion because everything is predetermined by God's plan is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Theological Determinism

Answer

Biological Determinism

Answer

Psychological Determinism

Answer

Scientific Determinism

Question 19

Compatibilism is the view that:

Accepted Answer

Free will and determinism can coexist.

Answer

Free will is an illusion created by our desires.

Answer

Free will and determinism are incompatible concepts.

Question 20

If you believe that our genes and brain chemistry ultimately determine our choices, you would be classified as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Biological Determinist

Answer

Psychological Determinist

Answer

Social Determinist

Answer

Economic Determinist

Question 21

Which of the following best describes the concept of determinism?

Accepted Answer

All events, including human actions, are causally determined by prior events and laws of nature.

Answer

Humans have complete control over their actions and decisions.

Answer

The future is entirely unpredictable, regardless of current knowledge.

Question 22

The 'Laplace's Demon' thought experiment is used to illustrate which concept?

Accepted Answer

Causal determinism

Answer

Existentialism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 23

Which of the following is a common argument against hard determinism?

Accepted Answer

It undermines moral responsibility and accountability.

Answer

It fails to account for the existence of random events.

Answer

It is incompatible with scientific understanding.

Question 24

Which philosophical position argues that free will and determinism are compatible?

Accepted Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Incompatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Hard determinism

Question 25

Which of the following best exemplifies a compatibilist view of free will?

Accepted Answer

A student chooses to study hard for an exam because they desire a good grade.

Answer

A random event, like a coin toss, determines the outcome of a life-changing decision.

Answer

A person's genes predetermine their likelihood of committing a crime.

Question 26

Libertarianism, in the context of free will, argues that:

Accepted Answer

Humans have genuine free will and are not causally determined.

Answer

Free will is an illusion, and all events are predetermined.

Answer

Determinism is true, but we are still morally responsible for our actions.

Question 27

The 'principle of alternate possibilities' is most closely associated with which viewpoint?

Accepted Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Hard determinism

Question 28

Which of the following is a common criticism of libertarianism?

Accepted Answer

It struggles to provide a satisfactory account of how uncaused actions are possible.

Answer

It is incompatible with the existence of moral responsibility.

Answer

It denies the influence of genetics and environment on our choices.

Question 29

The philosophical problem of free will and determinism has implications for which of the following areas?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

The justice system and legal punishment

Answer

Ethics and moral responsibility

Answer

The nature of consciousness and personal identity

Question 30

What is the main difference between hard determinism and compatibilism?

Accepted Answer

Hard determinism denies free will, while compatibilism claims free will is compatible with determinism.

Answer

Hard determinism argues for free will, while compatibilism denies it.