Analysis Of Free Will In Terms Of The Theory Of Compatibilism

Free will is the potential to choose among alternative options or to act independently of biological, societal, or theological constraints in certain circumstances. There are three theories of free will. Firstly, Hard Determinism asserts that a person's life is predetermined and no one is responsible for anything. Hence, leads to believe that freedom is an illusion. When thinking about making choices, it is determined by events that have already occurred we have no control over them. Secondly, Libertarianism asserts that free will exists and people normally act free. Thus rejecting Hard Determinism. “Humans, and human alone, transcend the laws of nature: they are free”(Conee ,E. and Sider,T. 2014,5.) Both Determinism and Libertarianism accept Incompatibilism. Incompatibilism brings the idea that free actions are caused by the free form of causation but lead to different conclusions. According to determinism actions are not caused by free form causation rather is determined by events, thus are not free. According to Libertarianism actions are caused by free form causation thus are free. Lastly, Compatibilism asserts that a free action is one that is caused in the right way “by the person’s beliefs and desires, provided that those beliefs and desires flow from who the person is.”( Conee,E. and Sider,T. 2014,12).The theory of Compatibilism grasps my attention the most as it brings the idea that free actions are only free if they are caused in the right way. Compatibilism combines the idea of having free will and determinism together.

Kevin was suffering from Epilepsy and got a part of his brain removed. After the surgery, Kevin’s appetite increased drastically along with his Sexual drive. Kevin watched and downloaded all types of pornography . Kevin’s Wife explained his sexual behaviors at home had increased. Kevin remembers himself downloading child pornography but “with a complete lack of neurological control “(Conee,E. and Sider,T. 2014 ,14.) According to Kevin’s Doctor, Orrin Devinsky (neurologist) rhesus monkeys losing the same part of the brain same consequences were observed as Kevin’s. Prosecutor Lee Vartan saw no evidence of impulsivity as they observed no sign of pornography in the office computer where he spent most of his time working. Orrin compared Kevin’s brain disorder “Kluver-Bucy syndrome” to Tourette(When engaged do not have tics while being stressed or bored ten to have tics). After taking medication he became calmer, his behaviors improved and his libido decreased. He was sentenced considering the fact what he could have asked for help in the moments when he had control so he was considered morally responsible.

Kevin was not acting freely when he was downloading child pornography because compatibilism is true. According to the free will definition, a person is free if he/she is independent of biological and societal constraints. Firstly, According to the first part of the definition of free will, it is something where the person has the power to choose among alternatives independent of biological influence. If we look at Kevin’s case he did not have any neurological control over his hunger and sexual drive which was caused because of previous events in his life (Removal of his part of brain ). Hence, shows that Kevin’s behavior was a result of biological influence. Secondly, according to the social restriction part of the definition of free will Kevin was under the pressure of social influence. Also, Robert Sapolsky explains the same idea about Kevin’s behavior of not downloading porn in office by further explaining the monkey’s condition that was explained by Orrin. He talks about the monkey having the same Kluver-Bucy syndrome as Kevin. Showing hypersexual behavior, completely out of control mounting everyone, but then refrain himself from mounting the alpha male because of fear. Explaining that some other uncontrollable emotions override or suppress the initial emotions. Thus explaining Kevin’s social pressure of unethicality or fear of being embarrassed in the office made him not download porn. I would like to highlight that we need to know more about Kevin’s behavior patterns at work because we can not tell if he downloaded porn and then deleted after.

Compatibilism or Soft Determinism believes that free will and determinism are mutually compatible: An increase in his desires and hunger was not caused in the right way. It was due to the removal of a part of his brain during his second brain surgery. He could not control himself. He never uses to have this kind of behavior before the surgery. His actions, beliefs, and desires were caused due to alteration in one part of his brain. Moreover, after Kevin started taking medication his drives were in control. This show is it was an uncontrolled part of his brain making him do stuff without his will. Furthermore, Kevin’s story also agrees with parts of hard determinism like the “Past determines the future “.His epilepsy led to surgery, surgery led to the removal of a part of the brain, removal caused an increase in hunger and sex drive then lastly sex drive leading him to jail. Kevin even if he wanted could not have done otherwise his life was predetermined, “Robert: everything we choose to do is in some sense chosen for us “(Conee,E. and Sider,T. 2014, 28). Additionally, Sapolsky addressed a Study where judges decision was influenced by the hunger levels. After the meal the “parolees had a 60 percent chance of getting parole” while when judges were “hungry parolees have a close to zero percent chance”( Conee,E. and Sider,T. 2014 ,26). This study about the Judges made me understand how causal can affect free actions. They were not bound to give one judgment or the other. It was dependent on their desires and beliefs.

According to Sapolsky idea of having no free will at all and that everything is chosen for us is declaring that we can not hold anyone responsible for their actions. Sapolsky throughout the podcast was more leaned towards hard determinism. To say that there is a world with no actual freedom seems like a meaningless world. Humans have some kind of ethnicity and intellect varying from person to person whether it be right to vote or right to live our life a certain way, expressing thoughts etc.

How free we depend on the number of internal and external factors that are influencing us. It also depends on how much control do we really have over what we do . There are two kinds of freedom circumstantial and metaphysical. Circumstantial freedom is the freedom to perform out an action with no obstacle intrusion or having the power to do something physically. Metaphysical freedom is the choice of possibilities associated with intellect and ethics. I would not consider Kevin free because he did not have neurological control over his actions. Similarly, mental impairment patients do not have control over their actions so they can not be held accountable for their actions. Therefore, Kevin cannot be considered morally responsible.