For this Discussion Board, you will write a dialogue between yourself and an imaginary Socrates. You will debate the question of free will versus determinism. Remember that the Socratic Method involves asking a series of questions to clarify keywords and ideas. In your dialogue, the imaginary Socrates should be asking clarifying questions, and you will be answering them. Please refer to the excerpt from Plato’s Meno as an example to model your dialogue. This post should be 200 words.

QUESTION

For this Discussion Board, you will write a dialogue between yourself and an imaginary Socrates. You will debate the question of free will versus determinism. Remember that the Socratic Method involves asking a series of questions to clarify keywords and ideas. In your dialogue, the imaginary Socrates should be asking clarifying questions, and you will be answering them. Please refer to the excerpt from Plato’s Meno as an example to model your dialogue. This post should be 200 words.
Your post should be a dialogue, which may address the following questions, using the Socratic Method:

Do you agree that every event has an explanatory cause?
How do you define human choice? How do you define human event? Are they different?
Do you agree that to have an explanatory cause is to not be free?
How do you define free?
Do you think that free will and determinism can coexist in any way?
Is it possible to have external determinism and internal free will?
To have cohesion and reach solid conclusions, your imaginary Socrates may ask you more questions than the ones listed above. Be sure to include all of the above ideas in your dialogue.

ANSWER

Exploring Free Will vs. Determinism: A Socratic Dialogue

Introduction

The question of free will versus determinism has captivated philosophers and scholars for centuries. In this Socratic dialogue, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with an imaginary Socrates to delve into the complexities of this philosophical debate. By employing the Socratic Method, we aim to elucidate key concepts and explore the interplay between free will and determinism. Through a series of questions and answers, we tackle the nature of events, human choice, the definition of freedom, and the potential coexistence of free will and determinism.

The Nature of Events and Human Choice

Socrates begins by seeking agreement on the notion that every event has an explanatory cause. Recognizing the common acceptance of this idea, we move on to defining human choice and human events (Free Will (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy), 2022). Human choice is characterized as the capacity to select among various options based on personal preferences, desires, and rational considerations. In contrast, a human event encompasses any action or occurrence influenced by human agency. It becomes evident that while choice is an integral part of human events, not all events necessarily involve a conscious decision.

Explanatory Cause and Freedom

Socrates raises an intriguing question about whether the presence of an explanatory cause negates freedom. We acknowledge that the existence of a cause does not preclude freedom. Rather, an event can be influenced by external factors while still allowing for freedom within the context of those influences (Compatibilism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy), 2019). This highlights the idea that causality does not inherently restrict free will.

Defining Freedom

To delve further into the discussion, Socrates prompts an exploration of the concept of freedom itself. Freedom is defined as the capacity for individuals to act according to their will, unrestricted by external coercion or undue influence. It encompasses autonomy and the ability to make decisions in alignment with one’s values and desires. By understanding the nature of freedom, we lay the groundwork for examining its compatibility with determinism.

Coexistence of Free Will and Determinism

The focal point of the dialogue revolves around whether free will and determinism can coexist. While some argue that these concepts are fundamentally incompatible, others posit that they can harmoniously coexist within certain parameters. We explore the notion that external determinism, which encompasses factors like societal norms and physical constraints, may shape the context within which choices are made (Mcleod, 2023). However, internal free will, rooted in personal motivations and values, empowers individuals to make decisions within those constraints. It becomes clear that external determinism and internal free will can operate simultaneously, allowing for individual agency within a deterministic framework.

Conclusion

In this Socratic dialogue, we have engaged in an intellectual journey, navigating the intricate realm of free will versus determinism. We have uncovered various perspectives by examining the nature of events, human choice, the definition of freedom, and the potential coexistence of free will and determinism. Our exploration has revealed that while events have explanatory causes, freedom can still exist. Moreover, we have considered the interplay between external determinism and internal free will, acknowledging the possibility of their cohesion.

This dialogue serves as a catalyst for further contemplation and analysis of the complex philosophical puzzle of free will and determinism. By embracing the Socratic Method, we continue to question, reflect, and refine our understanding of this enduring philosophical conundrum.

References

Compatibilism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2019, November 26). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/compatibilism/ 

Free Will (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2022, November 3). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/freewill/ 

Mcleod, S., PhD. (2023). Freewill vs Determinism in Psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/freewill-determinism.html