Introduction to Philosophy: Overhead

Freedom and Determinism:
The Same Argument as a
Hypothetical Syllogism

1. If A did X at t, then it was causally determined before t that A do X at t.
2. If it was causally determined before t that A do X at t, then A did not do X at t freely.
3. If A did X at t, then A did not do X at t freely. (1, 2 HS)
4. If A did not do X at t freely, then A is not responsible for doing X at t.
5. If A did X at t, then A is not responsible for doing X at t. (3, 4 HS)

Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 4 October 2004

1.		If A did X at t, then it was causally determined before t that A do X at t.
2.		If it was causally determined before t that A do X at t, then A did not do X at t freely.
3.		If A did X at t, then A did not do X at t freely. (1, 2 HS)
4.		If A did not do X at t freely, then A is not responsible for doing X at t.
5.		If A did X at t, then A is not responsible for doing X at t. (3, 4 HS)