Causation and Free Will: Explore the Relationship between Events and Human Choice

Question 1

Compatibilism posits that free will is compatible with which type of determinism?

Accepted Answer

Soft determinism

Answer

Strict determinism

Answer

Hard determinism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 2

According to Hume, the foundation of our understanding of causation primarily stems from:

Accepted Answer

Empirical observation

Answer

A priori knowledge

Answer

Logical deduction

Answer

Religious intuition

Question 3

Who among the following philosophers is NOT an advocate of hard determinism?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

Baruch Spinoza

Answer

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Answer

René Descartes

Question 4

The problem of evil primarily challenges the concept of:

Accepted Answer

Divine benevolence

Answer

Divine omnipotence

Answer

Divine omniscience

Answer

Divine existence

Question 5

The 'Principle of Alternate Possibilities' is a core principle in:

Accepted Answer

Libertarian free will

Answer

Compatibilist free will

Answer

Hard determinism

Answer

Skepticism about free will

Question 6

According to David Hume's theory of causation, causation is essentially:

Accepted Answer

A mental association of events

Answer

A mechanical connection between events

Answer

A logical relation between events

Answer

A universal necessity

Question 7

Which of the following is a central tenet of libertarian arguments for free will?

Accepted Answer

The ability to act autonomously

Answer

The rejection of all external influences

Answer

The power of the unconscious mind

Answer

Theological considerations

Question 8

Compatibilism, a philosophical view on free will, asserts that free will is compatible with:

Accepted Answer

Determinism

Answer

Hard determinism

Answer

Indeterminism

Answer

Fatalism

Question 9

A significant criticism of the concept of moral responsibility is that it:

Accepted Answer

Relies on the unproven existence of free will

Answer

Assumes that individuals are inherently good

Answer

Ignores external factors that influence our actions

Answer

Is exclusively applicable to specific cultures

Question 10

According to Aristotle's philosophy, the four fundamental causes of anything are identified as:

Accepted Answer

Material, formal, efficient, and final

Answer

Temporal, spatial, logical, and moral

Answer

Psychological, physical, metaphysical, and teleological

Answer

Necessary, sufficient, contributory, and remote

Question 11

An example of a probabilistic cause is:

Accepted Answer

Smoking and the development of lung cancer

Answer

Dropping a glass and it shattering

Answer

The daily rising of the sun in the east

Answer

Mixing chemicals to create a new substance

Question 12

The principle of sufficient reason asserts that:

Accepted Answer

Every effect has a necessary and sufficient cause

Answer

Every effect has a sufficient but not necessary cause

Answer

Every effect has a necessary but not sufficient cause

Answer

Effects can exist without any cause

Question 13

According to the compatibilist view, what is the defining feature of free choices?

Accepted Answer

They align with our desires and values.

Answer

They are completely random.

Answer

They are not influenced by external factors.

Answer

They are always logical.

Question 14

According to David Hume, what is the nature of the relationship between causation and necessity?

Accepted Answer

Causation is not a necessary connection between events.

Answer

Causation is a necessary connection between events.

Answer

Causation is a subjective belief about the connection between events.

Answer

Causation is a law of nature that governs the connection between events.

Question 15

According to compatibilists, what is the relationship between determinism and free will?

Accepted Answer

Determinism and free will are compatible.

Answer

Determinism and free will are incompatible.

Answer

Determinism is a necessary condition for free will.

Answer

Determinism is a sufficient condition for free will.

Question 16

What is the main difference between hard determinism and soft determinism?

Accepted Answer

Hard determinism denies the existence of free will, while soft determinism allows for a limited degree of freedom.

Answer

Hard determinism is based on the principle of alternate possibilities, while soft determinism is not.

Answer

Hard determinism is more compatible with religious beliefs, while soft determinism is not.

Answer

Hard determinism is a more scientifically grounded theory than soft determinism.

Question 17

What is the libertarian view of free will?

Accepted Answer

Free will is the ability to make choices that are not causally determined.

Answer

Free will is the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want.

Answer

Free will is the ability to act in accordance with our own desires.

Answer

Free will is the ability to resist external influences.

Question 18

What is the main difference between causal determinism and logical determinism?

Accepted Answer

Causal determinism is based on the laws of nature, while logical determinism is based on the laws of logic.

Answer

Causal determinism is a more narrow theory than logical determinism.

Answer

Causal determinism is compatible with free will, while logical determinism is not.

Answer

Causal determinism is a more recent theory than logical determinism.

Question 19

Who is associated with the Humean theory of causation?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Locke

Question 20

Differentiate between a necessary and a sufficient condition.

Accepted Answer

A sufficient condition is true if and only if a necessary condition is true.

Answer

A necessary condition is always true, while a sufficient condition is sometimes true.

Answer

A necessary condition is sometimes true, but a sufficient condition is always true.

Answer

A necessary condition is true if and only if a sufficient condition is true.

Question 21

Identify an example of a deterministic argument.

Accepted Answer

Our actions are determined by our genes and environment.

Answer

We possess free will and make our own choices.

Answer

Everything that happens is random.

Answer

The future is predetermined.

Question 22

State the primary argument of Compatibilism.

Accepted Answer

Free will and determinism are compatible.

Answer

Free will is an illusion.

Answer

Determinism is false.

Answer

Compatibilism is a form of dualism.

Question 23

According to David Hume's theory of causation, what is the consistent relationship between a cause and its effect known as?

Accepted Answer

Necessity

Answer

Contingency

Answer

Determinism

Answer

Compatibilism

Question 24

According to the compatibilist view of free will, it is considered compatible with which of the following concepts?

Accepted Answer

Determinism

Answer

Indeterminism

Answer

Fatalism

Answer

Libertarianism

Question 25

If one were to accept the principle of indeterminism, which of the following outcomes is NOT typically considered a consequence?

Accepted Answer

The presence of inevitable causal relationships

Answer

The potential impossibility of scientific prediction

Answer

The weakening of moral responsibility

Answer

The existence of genuine freedom

Question 26

Which of the following assumptions is central to the argument from ignorance regarding free will?

Accepted Answer

Our limited knowledge of the complete causal history behind our actions

Answer

Our inability to predict our future actions with certainty

Answer

Our lack of complete control over our actions

Answer

Our exemption from responsibility for our actions

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT commonly presented as a counter-argument to the argument from determinism?

Accepted Answer

The argument from chaos

Answer

The argument from alternative possibilities

Answer

The argument from self-determination

Answer

The argument from moral intuition

Question 28

Which view of free will argues that it is compatible with determinism if our actions are not coerced?

Accepted Answer

Compatibilism

Answer

Incompatibilism

Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Hard determinism

Question 29

Which criticism of the libertarian view of free will argues that it relies on a concept that is logically incoherent?

Accepted Answer

It relies on the concept of an undetermined agent

Answer

It cannot account for cases of moral responsibility

Answer

It is incompatible with the laws of nature

Answer

It is based on a false dichotomy between freedom and determinism

Question 30

What is the central assumption of the principle of alternative possibilities?

Accepted Answer

The agent must have the ability to act otherwise

Answer

The agent's actions must be uncaused

Answer

The agent must be aware of all possible alternatives

Answer

The agent must be able to predict the consequences of their actions

Question 31

According to the Frankfurt case, what is a crucial factor in determining whether an action is genuinely free?

Accepted Answer

The agent's second-order desires

Answer

The agent's desires

Answer

The agent's intentions

Answer

The agent's moral values

Question 32

According to the Humean theory of causation, what is the essential attribute of the relationship between cause and effect?

Accepted Answer

A regular and invariable conjunction of events.

Answer

A necessary connection whereby one event inevitably leads to the other.

Answer

A logical connection based on the laws of reasoning.

Question 33

What is the fundamental distinction between hard determinism and soft determinism?

Accepted Answer

Hard determinism asserts that all events, including human actions, are strictly determined by prior causes, denying the existence of free will, while soft determinism allows for some degree of freedom within the constraints of determinism.

Answer

Hard determinism is based on the laws of physics, while soft determinism is based on the laws of psychology.

Answer

Hard determinism allows for some degree of free will, while soft determinism denies free will altogether.

Question 34

In the context of moral responsibility, what is the generally accepted relationship between choice and responsibility?

Accepted Answer

We are only morally responsible for actions that we perform freely and intentionally.

Answer

We are only morally responsible for actions that produce positive consequences.

Answer

We are morally responsible for all of our actions, regardless of whether they are chosen freely or not.

Question 35

Which of the following philosophical arguments seeks to establish the existence of free will by appealing to our own introspective experience of making choices?

Accepted Answer

The argument from introspection, which posits that our conscious awareness of making decisions demonstrates the reality of our free will.

Answer

The argument from science, which attempts to use scientific evidence or theories to prove the existence of free will.

Answer

The argument from religion, which relies on religious beliefs or texts to support the idea of free will.

Answer

The argument from moral responsibility, which asserts that the concept of moral responsibility presupposes the existence of free will.

Question 36

What is the central question that underpins the philosophical debate surrounding causation and free will?

Accepted Answer

To what extent, if any, are our actions determined by external factors or do we possess genuine freedom in making choices?

Answer

What is the ultimate purpose of human existence?

Answer

Does the concept of God exist?

Answer

What is the best way to structure a society?

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a generally accepted condition for causation?

Accepted Answer

The cause and effect must be physically touching.

Answer

The cause must be capable of producing the effect.

Answer

The cause must happen before the effect.

Answer

There must be a connection between the cause and effect.

Question 38

According to David Hume, what is the basis for our understanding of cause and effect?

Accepted Answer

Repeated observation of events happening together

Answer

A logical necessity linking cause and effect

Answer

A direct perception of a force connecting events

Answer

Our own inherent psychological tendency to link events

Question 39

Which of the following is a common criticism of compatibilism?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't adequately address the feeling that we could have chosen differently.

Answer

It disregards the influence of external factors on our choices.

Answer

It oversimplifies the concept of freedom.

Question 40

According to Jean-Paul Sartre, what is the defining characteristic of human beings?

Accepted Answer

Radical freedom

Answer

The search for meaning

Answer

A pre-determined purpose

Answer

Inherent rationality

Question 41

If determinism is true, what is a major implication for morality?

Accepted Answer

Our ability to be held responsible for our actions is questionable.

Answer

The future becomes completely unknowable.

Answer

Humans lose the capacity to make any choices.

Answer

Scientific inquiry becomes impossible.

Question 42

What is the key difference between 'hard' and 'soft' determinism?

Accepted Answer

Hard determinism rejects free will entirely, while soft determinism believes it can coexist with determinism.

Answer

Hard determinism focuses on physical laws, while soft determinism emphasizes psychological factors.

Answer

Hard determinism is a pessimistic view, while soft determinism is more optimistic about human agency.

Answer

Hard determinism is a modern view, while soft determinism originates from ancient philosophy.

Question 43

Which argument against free will claims our actions are driven by unconscious drives we're not aware of?

Accepted Answer

The psychoanalytic argument

Answer

The libertarian argument

Answer

The theological argument

Answer

The compatibilist argument

Question 44

According to libertarians, what is the defining feature of a truly free action?

Accepted Answer

It is not caused by anything

Answer

It aligns with our strongest desires

Answer

It is based on logical reasoning

Answer

It is done with conscious intent

Question 45

What distinguishes intrinsic value from extrinsic value?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic value belongs to something itself, while extrinsic value comes from its usefulness for something else.

Answer

Intrinsic value is a matter of personal opinion, while extrinsic value is a matter of fact.

Answer

Intrinsic value is unchanging, while extrinsic value can change over time.

Answer

Intrinsic value is a concept in ethics, while extrinsic value is a concept in economics.