1.One reason free will is seen as an important issue is that it seems to be a requirement for praise and blame. It seems to be a requirement for pride and shame. It seems to be a requirement for moral responsibility. If this is right then it would also seem that punishment and reward would not make sense without free will. Harris discusses this a bit the video (min. 44-50, and also during parts of the Q & A).
Reflect on why the problem of free will is important
Discuss what the implications are of having free will or not.
Assignment Instructions
Many have thought that if we don't have free will, then punishment and reward would not make sense. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Would be good to do away with punishment? Why or why not? (Consider: Punishment can be used for retribution, i.e., as giving a person their just deserts, but it can also be used as a deterrent. Reward can be used to recognize a person's accomplishment because they deserve it, but it can also be used to motivate them to do certain things). Write at least a paragraph for your post.
2. Before doing this assignment, make sure to review the two Moral Frameworks The Good-- which is Utilitarianism (Morality based on Good or Bad Consequences)-- and The Right-- which is Deontology (Morality based on Duty and Rights). In addition read, "Appendix B: How to Write a Philosophy Paper" pp. 415-424.
Objective of this assignment: To put theories into conversation with each other, in order to appreciate that:
Ideas are not isolated or made in a vacuum, but are created by real people grappling with real issues in conversation with others.
Disagreements aren't just matters of opinion, but rather can reveal underlying value frameworks. For instance, by analyzing the underlying frameworks of Mill's Utilitarianism and Kant's Deontology, we see that Mill and Kant don't merely disagree with what is moral or not, but they also seem to THINK about morality differently.
This matters because it allows us to see that perspectives that are unfamiliar (or that we disagree with) are often nevertheless rooted in value systems that can be shared or at least understood. Recognizing underlying value systems is one of the first and best ways to move forward when people who disagree deeply are at an impasse.
Other Objectives:
Learn to express your ideas clearly and concisely in writing.
Learn the argument essay format.
Practice critical thinking by evaluating moral theories and constructing your own argument.