Human Freedom and the Self by Roderick Chisholm

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Table of Contents

Summary
Critical Evaluation
Conclusion
References

Human Freedom and the Self is a paper written by Roderick M. Chisholm in the middle of the 20th century. The authors main idea is to discuss determinism and libertarian beliefs, relying on human actions, attitudes, and knowledge. In this paper, the first nine sections about deterministic and indeterministic views will be summarized and evaluated to create an introduction to the topic of human freedom.

Summary

In the beginning, the problem of human freedom is discussed. Determinists believe that every event is caused by another event. Indeterminists consider every act as essential without any particular cause. The second section contains an example of true human responsibilities. People try to do what they do to experience comfort. All at once, God is defined as the Prime Mover. The author explained the compatibility of determinism and moral responsibility. This section underlines the worth of options and human decisions. Conflicts between responsibility and deterministic behaviors cannot be ignored anymore. In the next section, Chisholm suggested avoiding determinism and indeterminism. Fortuity, caprice, or luck may lead to certain human actions. This possibility is another contribution to the discussion about freedom. The fifth section highlights that something else may guide people. The nature of agents and humans has to be recognized. The role of the man is the reason for determinism. At the same time, inanimate objects may be the causes. The terms of transeunt and immanent causation improve the discussion. References to Aristotle strengthen the discussion of possibilities and choices.

The brain function theme is touched in the seventh section. Cerebral events happen, causing new actions taken by a person. The connection between immanent causation and transeunt causation is strong. The next section contributes to the same discussion about causation. New conditions occur and challenge an understanding of human actions. Chisholm was confident that different agents might cause an event. Therefore, the focus of the ninth section is immanent causation. External and internal factors influence the nature of human decisions. The reader has to recognize the worth of immanent causation.

Critical Evaluation

After the reading of the paper created by Chisholm, I would like to admit that the progress of human thought cannot be ignored. On the one hand, I agree with the author that human actions have to be evaluated from the deterministic point of view. On the other hand, I think that the idea of human freedom is more complex today than it was several years ago. Some people do not find it necessary to develop a particular attitude towards their freedoms. Still, many people cannot imagine their lives without the intention to become free. At the same time, there are many external factors that determine the human choice.

Chisholm questioned if a person should be responsible for his or her beliefs and desires. Unfortunately, modern people are exposed to a variety of sources of information (external factors). The human desire to learn as much as possible and be aware of news, trends, and each others lives make them dependent on multiple factors. Therefore, Chisholms idea that action can neither be deterministic nor indeterministic is not appropriate for a modern person like me. The position to underline the connection between immanent causation and transeunt causation seems to be suitable and effective in todays world. Almost all human actions are caused by something, either by agent, event, or even supreme power (God or fate). I cannot say that Human Freedom and the Self is a paper where absolutely correct thoughts are introduced, but there are many interesting positions and statements that may help people facilitate their lives and gain a better understanding of their freedoms.

Conclusion

Chisholm developed a number of strong ideas about determinism, libertarianism, and the identification of the self in society. It is in human nature to support the idea of free will. The chosen nine sections of Human Freedom and the Self prove that everything is inevitable, and people with their thoughts, actions, and desires are the internal part of a physical world with its orders and legitimacy.

References

Chisholm, R. M. (1964). Human Freedom and the Self

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Human Freedom and the Self by Roderick Chisholm

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