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Free will vs. determinism

have powers to will our actions.

Determinists obvious think otherwise. For example, Hume argued the following: "Actions are, by their very nature, temporary and perishing; and where they proceed not from some cause in the character and disposition of the person who performed them, they can neither redound to his honor, if good; nor infamy, if evil" (1737). In simple language, he argues that because the actions do not come directly from the person who committed them, he/she cannot be blamed. Strangely, according to such belief, if one commits murder, he is not at fault.

This deterministic theory was presented in court by defense attorney Clarence Darrow, who defended his clients, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who murdered 14-year old Bobby Franks in 1924.

In court, Darrow gave a heartfelt speech that stated in part: "What has this boy to do with it? He was not his own father; he was not his own mother; he was not his own grandparents. All of this was handed to him. He did not surround himself with governesses and wealth. He did not make himself. And yet he is to be compelled to pay?"

Imagine if every defense attorney argued such position in court? The entire court system would be a joke. Can you imagine a world where morality is nonexistent - where no one is morally responsible for their actions? It would be chaotic; in fact, the world would be a war zone. People would have the leisure to walk around and basically do whatever they want without any punishment or blame.

Common sense tells us that we, humans, have the power and will to change our actions by the choices we make - for free will is embedded in all of us. There is no acting force around us that guides our actions and behaviors. We control our actions and behaviors. However, because God created Human, He does play some role in our lives, but not to the extent that makes us lose our ability to act under our own will and capabilities.

Libertarians are right when they argue that actions are caused by man (and not by prior events), because one can carefully think out a plan, make the choice to act or not act on it, and then execute it. Because determinism states that human have no free will, it also means that causality is impossible. How can we not be the cause our actions when we can make things happen? It is a proven fact that the world has causality through free will. Everything has a cause and effect; they go hand in hand. Everyday of our existence we make decisions based on the relation of cause


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