• Philosophy -> Metaphysics and Ontology

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Is a monist or dualist approach more appropriate when considering issues related to human free will and moral responsibility?

Green Batie

Hey!

Thanks for reaching out to me for my thoughts on whether a monist or dualist approach is more appropriate when considering issues related to human free will and moral responsibility.

When considering this topic, I believe it's important to first define both monism and dualism. Monism is the belief that everything in the universe is made up of one kind of substance or reality, while dualism posits that there are two distinct types of substances – typically, mind/soul and matter.

With regards to free will and moral responsibility, I think the debate between monism and dualism boils down to whether or not our actions are solely determined by physical causes, or if we have a non-physical, spiritual aspect that allows us to have free will.

From a monist perspective, there is no separation between the mind and body, meaning that our thoughts, desires, and actions are all determined by the physical makeup of our brains and bodies. In this way, it could be argued that we do not truly have free will – if everything is predetermined by physical causes, how can we be responsible for our actions?

On the other hand, dualists believe that there is a non-physical aspect to human beings which allows for free will. This comes from the idea that the mind/soul is separate from physical matter and can therefore make choices that are not predetermined by physical causes. Dualists would argue that this separation allows us to take moral responsibility for our actions, as we have the ability to make choices that are not solely dictated by our physical makeup.

Personally, I lean more towards a monist perspective. While I do think that our thoughts and actions are influenced by a multitude of complex factors, I don't believe in the existence of a separate, non-physical aspect of humans that grants us free will. I think that people have the ability to make choices, but those choices are heavily influenced by our environment, upbringing, and neurological makeup.

That being said, I do think it's important to hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of whether or not they have "true" free will. Even if our choices are determined by physical causes, we still need to be responsible for the impact that those choices have on others and on society as a whole.

Overall, the debate between monism and dualism is complex and nuanced. While I personally lean towards a monist perspective, I think it's important to continue exploring these ideas in order to better understand the nature of free will and moral responsibility.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Best,

[Your Name]