Introduction to Philosophy: Overhead

Responsibility Requires Determinism
(Stace IP3 387ab)

Walter T. Stace argues:

Thus we see that moral responsibility is not only consistent with determinism, but requires it. ... If there were no determinism of human beings at all, their actions would be completely unpredictable and capricious, and therefore irresponsible. And this is in itself a strong argument against the common view of philosophers that free will means being undetermined by causes.

Formulation of the Argument:

1. If determinism were false, then human actions would be completely unpredictable and capricious.
2. If human actions are completely unpredictable and capricious, then human actions would be irresponsible.
3. If determinism were false, then human actions would be irresponsible. (1, 2 HS)
4. If human actions are responsible, then determinism is true. (3)
5. If the incompatibilist definition of freedom is correct, then if human actions are responsible, then determinism is false.
6. The incompatibilist definition of freedom is not correct (4, 5).

Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 6 October 2004

	1.	If determinism were false, then human actions would be completely unpredictable and capricious.
	2.	If human actions are completely unpredictable and capricious, then human actions would be irresponsible.
	3.	If determinism were false, then human actions would be irresponsible. (1, 2 HS)
	4.	If human actions are responsible, then determinism is true. (3)
	5.	If the incompatibilist definition of freedom is correct, then if human actions are responsible, then determinism is false.
	6.	The incompatibilist definition of freedom is not correct (4, 5).