Hume
When did Hume write the Enquiry?
1748
When did Epicurus live?
341-270 BCE
What is compatibilism?
The view that free will and determinism are compatible with each other.
When did Hobart write the Mind argument?
1934
What is a torn decision?
A decision in which a person has two option that are equally good and makes a choice without coming to a conclusion about which option is best.
Where was Hume born?
Scotland
What writings of Epicurus do we have?
3 Letters: to Herodatus, to Menoeceus, to Pythocles.
The view that free will and determinism cannot coexist.
Incompatibilism.
Is Hobart a determinist?
Yes
What is universal determinism?
The view that all events are determined by prior events and the laws of physics.
The problem of free will is mainly what kind of argument?
Merely verbal/an argument over terms.
What term was he the first to use?
"Atom".
What is an inference?
Is Hobart a compatibilist?
Yes
What is libertarian free will?
The view that some of our choices are undetermined, they are appropriately non-random, and the indeterminacy procures the appropriate non-randomness.
What is free will according to Hume?
The ability to choose/act in accordance with our desires. Freedom from constraint.
How do we know that there are objects?
We have unified sensations of their qualities (properties).
What is another definition of free will besides Humean free will?
The ability to choose to do otherwise.
What is determinism for Hobart?
Free will in passive voice.
What are some of the events that Balaguer cites as possibly undetermined?
Coin tosses, quantum measuring events, falling in love, having a pimple on prom night, etc.
Where do we get our idea of necessity and causation?
The uniformity we see in nature.
How big did Epicurus believe the universe to be?
Infinite
What is freedom commonly understood to mean in philosophy?
To be free of constraint.
What is the freakish demon argument?
If our choices aren't made from the self (which consists of our preferences, beliefs, and desires), then it appears as though a freakish demon is making the choice.
What is wrong with determinist arguments according to Balaguer?
They do not provide reasons for thinking possibly undetermined events are in fact determined; their claims are unmotivated.