AM I FREE OR DETERMINED
Johnny Escobar
March 18, 2015
Professor Cowan
Philosophy 1301
Am I free in writing this paper There are really good arguments on both sides if I am free or determined in writing this essay. Baron Holbach says that human actions, like everything in nature are determined by a mechanical systematic nature. But on the other side according to Jean- Paul Sartre argument insists that humans are free agents and therefore we are responsible for everything we do. Holbachs argument does touches ethics twice and makes one ethical claim that the start, asserting that one of the main reasons why most humans are of the opinion that they are free is because of religion. If man is to be judged by god because of his actions, it would be irrelevant to believe that no one had no control over them. If human actions are determined we lose the right to punish them for those actions. He defines the will as “A modification of the brain, by which it is disposed to action, or prepared to give play to organs (Holbach). Also according to Holbach actions that are taken by humans “are the result of the impulse he receives either from the motive, from the object, or from the idea which has modified the brain, or disposed his will. When someone does not act according to the impulse it is because there is a new cause and new motives, or new ideas which changes the brain and gives it new impulses and determines the will in a another way. With Sartre argument she believes Freedom is existence and in its existence precedes essence meaning that we can do whatever we want and how we act in life determines our apparent qualities. Freedom is important and unique which defines us as humans and she rejects determinism. I think I am free in writing this paper and don’t really have to because it is not like a law or something I HAVE to do. But if I do not do it determines my responsibility and since responsibility is something important according to Sartre no doing this paper would make me
March 18, 2015
Professor Cowan
Philosophy 1301
Am I free in writing this paper There are really good arguments on both sides if I am free or determined in writing this essay. Baron Holbach says that human actions, like everything in nature are determined by a mechanical systematic nature. But on the other side according to Jean- Paul Sartre argument insists that humans are free agents and therefore we are responsible for everything we do. Holbachs argument does touches ethics twice and makes one ethical claim that the start, asserting that one of the main reasons why most humans are of the opinion that they are free is because of religion. If man is to be judged by god because of his actions, it would be irrelevant to believe that no one had no control over them. If human actions are determined we lose the right to punish them for those actions. He defines the will as “A modification of the brain, by which it is disposed to action, or prepared to give play to organs (Holbach). Also according to Holbach actions that are taken by humans “are the result of the impulse he receives either from the motive, from the object, or from the idea which has modified the brain, or disposed his will. When someone does not act according to the impulse it is because there is a new cause and new motives, or new ideas which changes the brain and gives it new impulses and determines the will in a another way. With Sartre argument she believes Freedom is existence and in its existence precedes essence meaning that we can do whatever we want and how we act in life determines our apparent qualities. Freedom is important and unique which defines us as humans and she rejects determinism. I think I am free in writing this paper and don’t really have to because it is not like a law or something I HAVE to do. But if I do not do it determines my responsibility and since responsibility is something important according to Sartre no doing this paper would make me