Proponents of Social determinism, like Naturalism, claim that freedom is an illusion. Human behaviour can be explained through our social interactions. Our experiences mold our character and influence our decision making process. For example: if your culture promotes drinking alcohol, then it is more likely that you will drink. In this case, our social reality determines our "actions".
Freud has contributed numerous writings that attempt to explain this theoretical approach. He stated that humans operate on three distinct levels, the id, the ego, and the super ego. Each level moves from an unconscious to conscious state of mind.
The Id refers to our basic instincts. It is primarily based on the 'pleasure principle'. For example; if a baby is hungry it cries. An adult responds to the cry and the baby is feed. The baby quickly realizes that the cry initiates a reaction that will bring him food. (Pleasure) At this point in time the baby does not care about anything else. It may be two in the morning and you are exhausted yet the baby will demand food despite your tiredness.
The Ego, on the other hand, begins to recognize these social interactions and begins to understand that other people have feelings. The stage is referred to as the "Reality Principle". At this point the child begins to realize that demanding food at three in the morning is not the best thing to do and you respect the other person.
The Superego is the moral part of ourselves that develops because of the influence of our caregivers. If we advocate non violence, then it is more likely that t he child will develop an non violence approach to resolving conflicts.
In the end, our environment, culture, social circle, will determine who you are and what you will become.
Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.
Freud
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Religious Determinism
Historically, the church denied human freedom. This was based on the assumption that God's knowledge and awareness has predetermined everyones destiny. Indeed, everyone's "actions" have already been predetermined through God's knowledge.
Currently, Christians maintain that humans are free to choose. Our choices, "actions", occur because of our own free will. God may be aware of those choices but that does not preclude that we are predestined because of God's awareness. "It is certain that we will when we will; but He (God) brings it about that we act, but that without His help we neither will anything good nor do it."
St. Augustine
In the end, we, as human beings, make choices and these choices shape who we become!!
Currently, Christians maintain that humans are free to choose. Our choices, "actions", occur because of our own free will. God may be aware of those choices but that does not preclude that we are predestined because of God's awareness. "It is certain that we will when we will; but He (God) brings it about that we act, but that without His help we neither will anything good nor do it."
St. Augustine
In the end, we, as human beings, make choices and these choices shape who we become!!
Naturalism
If you view the world from Naturalism you look at reality as a unified whole. Everything is shaped through physical, biological, psychological, social and environmental processes. Everything in this world is interconnected. It is one great chain connected by cause and effect. In Naturalism, everything can and will be explained through science. If something is to be held as true it must be scrutinized and verified through scientific experimentation.In this world science reigns supreme.
The theory of naturalism denounces human freedom. In this theory your genes are the supreme rulers of who you are. Your genes determine your reality!! As a result all choices you will make have been genetically predetermined and freedom is a delusion. Your emotions, feelings of love, loyalty, etc can be best explained as a neural state. If you do bad things you can blame it on your "genetic code". Our "Actions" occur because of our Brain processes. In the end, Naturalism denies the possibility of ethics and morality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is viewed as branch of Naturalism. Philosophers have argued that the two disciplines have much in common. Both areas look at and examine the human brain and its neural networks. AI researchers try to imitate brain neural networks in order to achieve greater results in computer development. It is the researchers hope to replicate human cognitive states thus achieving true AI. In either case, "actions" can be explained as an algorithm or a genetic code. Once again, the essence of freedom is being questioned!
"The second advantage claimed for naturalism is that it is equivalent to rationality, because it assumes a model of reality in which all events are in principle accessible to scientific investigation."
Phillip E. Johnson
No, our science is no illusion. But an illusion it would be to suppose that what science cannot give us we can get elsewhere.
Frued
The theory of naturalism denounces human freedom. In this theory your genes are the supreme rulers of who you are. Your genes determine your reality!! As a result all choices you will make have been genetically predetermined and freedom is a delusion. Your emotions, feelings of love, loyalty, etc can be best explained as a neural state. If you do bad things you can blame it on your "genetic code". Our "Actions" occur because of our Brain processes. In the end, Naturalism denies the possibility of ethics and morality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is viewed as branch of Naturalism. Philosophers have argued that the two disciplines have much in common. Both areas look at and examine the human brain and its neural networks. AI researchers try to imitate brain neural networks in order to achieve greater results in computer development. It is the researchers hope to replicate human cognitive states thus achieving true AI. In either case, "actions" can be explained as an algorithm or a genetic code. Once again, the essence of freedom is being questioned!
"The second advantage claimed for naturalism is that it is equivalent to rationality, because it assumes a model of reality in which all events are in principle accessible to scientific investigation."
Phillip E. Johnson
No, our science is no illusion. But an illusion it would be to suppose that what science cannot give us we can get elsewhere.
Frued
Chapter 2: Conceptual Framework of Action
Human actions are often difficult to articulate. The conceptual framework of action allows us to examine human action in a logical manner. The conceptual framework consists of 7 critical questions. These questions allow us to evaluate whether or not an action is good. The 7 questions are
Who?: Who is the "agent" and what have they done?
What?: What was the "action" that the "agent" performed??
Why?: Why did the "agent" perform that "action".
What was the motive for that action???
How?: How did the "agent" carry out his/her "actions"?
Under what circumstances?:
The circumstances of a situation may also have an impact on your "action."
With or against whom?:
Every "action" is an interaction. We always interact with others.
Our "actions" will always affect others.
Some of our "actions" will involve numerous individuals.
As a result, it is important to be aware of our "actions."
With what outcome?:
With every "action" there is an inevitable outcome.
You are responsible for your "actions".
The outcome of your actions-intended or not-affects the self for good or for
bad.
“It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.”
Josiah Charles Stamp
Who?: Who is the "agent" and what have they done?
What?: What was the "action" that the "agent" performed??
Why?: Why did the "agent" perform that "action".
What was the motive for that action???
How?: How did the "agent" carry out his/her "actions"?
Under what circumstances?:
The circumstances of a situation may also have an impact on your "action."
With or against whom?:
Every "action" is an interaction. We always interact with others.
Our "actions" will always affect others.
Some of our "actions" will involve numerous individuals.
As a result, it is important to be aware of our "actions."
With what outcome?:
With every "action" there is an inevitable outcome.
You are responsible for your "actions".
The outcome of your actions-intended or not-affects the self for good or for
bad.
“It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.”
Josiah Charles Stamp
Monday, September 29, 2008
Chapter 2: Freedom
Freedom is defined as 'the human capacity to choose and to act. I am free because I have possibilities and capacities to act on these possibilities.'
If we notice, the definition states that we have the CAPACITY to choose and to act. Often, we negate that freedom to choose. Some philosophers go as far as saying that we do not have freedom and that our choices are illusions. Most of us would like to believe that we are free and that our actions have purpose. As an "agent", a person who acts freely and knowingly, we are held accountable for our actions. Good and Bad choices are made on a daily basis. As an "agent" we can choose to help or to simply walk away. Both choices influence the outcome of a situation. As a result our actions should be thoughtful!! We will explore the nature of freedom in the upcoming blog spots.
Actions define us as being human. Actions define our identity. Our actions develop who we will become!! Actions speak louder than words!! In order to develop into an ethical and moral being we must always act in a moral and ethical manner. Over time these actions develop into healthy habits. In freedom, you have the capacity to act. The "action" is the realization of that capacity. In short, "You are what you do."
"Your focus determines your reality."
Qui-Gon Jinn
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Charles C. Noble
If we notice, the definition states that we have the CAPACITY to choose and to act. Often, we negate that freedom to choose. Some philosophers go as far as saying that we do not have freedom and that our choices are illusions. Most of us would like to believe that we are free and that our actions have purpose. As an "agent", a person who acts freely and knowingly, we are held accountable for our actions. Good and Bad choices are made on a daily basis. As an "agent" we can choose to help or to simply walk away. Both choices influence the outcome of a situation. As a result our actions should be thoughtful!! We will explore the nature of freedom in the upcoming blog spots.
Actions define us as being human. Actions define our identity. Our actions develop who we will become!! Actions speak louder than words!! In order to develop into an ethical and moral being we must always act in a moral and ethical manner. Over time these actions develop into healthy habits. In freedom, you have the capacity to act. The "action" is the realization of that capacity. In short, "You are what you do."
"Your focus determines your reality."
Qui-Gon Jinn
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Charles C. Noble
Chapter 2 Test and Assignment Reminder
Please remember that the test for chapter 2 will be on Thursday Oct. 2
The Matrix questions are due on Monday Oct. 6
The Matrix questions are due on Monday Oct. 6
Chapter 2: You are what you do!
In this chapter will explore and examine the ethical and moral person as well as ethical and moral actions. Human actions are difficult to understand at the best of times. Numerous influences affect our decisions in everyday life. The chapter will identify and analyze several influences on human behaviour.
Freedom is a concept that is often misunderstood. Some individuals claim that freemom does not exist while others say that we have control over our lives. This chapter will also explore the concept of human freedom from various perspectives.
Throughout time, humans have tried to analyze and understand human action. This chapter will also explore a framework from which to analze human action.
"Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others."
The Dalai Lama
Freedom is a concept that is often misunderstood. Some individuals claim that freemom does not exist while others say that we have control over our lives. This chapter will also explore the concept of human freedom from various perspectives.
Throughout time, humans have tried to analyze and understand human action. This chapter will also explore a framework from which to analze human action.
"Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others."
The Dalai Lama
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Four Ethical Experiences
There are four ethical responses:
1) The Scream: when you hear someone scream we are often called to act. The scream startles us to act. The scream is an appeal , a call for help. It urges not to think but to act.
2) The Other: When we confront someone eye to eye, it reminds us of our deeper commitment and responsiblity for the "other". For example; when we meet a beggar, it challenges us to help. We may choose to ignore the other and justify our actions to dismiss this person. Irregardless, the face of the "other' compells us to question. It draws us into an ethical dilemma, one that we are unable to ignore.
3) Obligation: This experience arises from duty or obligation. For example; if our parents tell us to be home by 11:00, we are obliged to obey the curfew. Obeying this curfew appeals to our ethical side. We are compelled to obey the curfew and follow that law. It is the 'right' thing to do.
4) Intolerable!! This is not fair!!!! This ethical experience occurs when you witness a blatant act of injustice. You are called to act!!!
Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
Buddha:
1) The Scream: when you hear someone scream we are often called to act. The scream startles us to act. The scream is an appeal , a call for help. It urges not to think but to act.
2) The Other: When we confront someone eye to eye, it reminds us of our deeper commitment and responsiblity for the "other". For example; when we meet a beggar, it challenges us to help. We may choose to ignore the other and justify our actions to dismiss this person. Irregardless, the face of the "other' compells us to question. It draws us into an ethical dilemma, one that we are unable to ignore.
3) Obligation: This experience arises from duty or obligation. For example; if our parents tell us to be home by 11:00, we are obliged to obey the curfew. Obeying this curfew appeals to our ethical side. We are compelled to obey the curfew and follow that law. It is the 'right' thing to do.
4) Intolerable!! This is not fair!!!! This ethical experience occurs when you witness a blatant act of injustice. You are called to act!!!
Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
Buddha:
Class Discussion
Please post a question or reply to a posted question. Everyone in the class should reply or comment at least once. Have fun!!!
The Three Ethical Theorists
Please go to the g drive (Mr. Bucarelli) on the school server to gain access to the power point presentation on the three ethical theorists.
Test/Assignment Date Reminder
Test on Chapter 1 will be on Tuesday September, 16
and Kung fu questions will be due on Tuesday September 16 as well.
Good Luck
and Kung fu questions will be due on Tuesday September 16 as well.
Good Luck
The Journey
In this chapter, we begin an ethical journey. We will be asked to enter a part of our lives that we have already encountered. You may have to make some important ethical decisions. In many ways, we will discuss familiar topics. Despite your experience, you may not have had the opportunity to think about and discuss your experience in a systematic manner. This is the intent of the course. The course helps you to find your way through the maze of ethical and moral challenges that confront you on a daily basis. The course begins by defining Ethics and Morality. We will explore the four ethical experinces and we will talk about the three ethical theorists. So sit back and enjoy the journey.
"The journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step."
Confucious
"The journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step."
Confucious
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Ethics vs. Morality
Ethics and morality are often viewed as being one and the same. Our first task is to differntiate the difference between the two.
Ethics comes from the greek word ta ethika which means having to do with good character.
Morality comes from the Latin word moralitas which means having to do with customs and habits.
Ethics is the driving force behind morality. Ethics sets the guidelines while morality fuels the our actions towards the good. For example, when we drive a car we must follow certain laws. These laws (Ethics) guide our driving habits. (Morality) We adjust our dring habits based on the road conditions (Experiences). If it rains or snows we adjust our speed so that we safely arrive at our destination.
To summarize; Ethics explores the nature of the good while morality can be viewed as our "good" actions. The course will start by exploring the search for the inifinite good and how we translate this search into actions.
Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?"
Confucius
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
Confucius
Ethics comes from the greek word ta ethika which means having to do with good character.
Morality comes from the Latin word moralitas which means having to do with customs and habits.
Ethics is the driving force behind morality. Ethics sets the guidelines while morality fuels the our actions towards the good. For example, when we drive a car we must follow certain laws. These laws (Ethics) guide our driving habits. (Morality) We adjust our dring habits based on the road conditions (Experiences). If it rains or snows we adjust our speed so that we safely arrive at our destination.
To summarize; Ethics explores the nature of the good while morality can be viewed as our "good" actions. The course will start by exploring the search for the inifinite good and how we translate this search into actions.
Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?"
Confucius
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
Confucius
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