Soft determinists or compatibilists make a distinction between actions that have internal and external causes. Give an example of each kind of cause, and discuss at Philosophers Joseph Keim Campbell and Baron d,Holbach.
An internal cause refers to factors within an individual that influence their actions, such as desires, beliefs, and character traits. An example of an internal cause could be someone deciding to study hard for an exam because they have a strong desire to succeed academically and achieve good grades.
Joseph Keim Campbell, a contemporary philosopher, argues for compatibilism, which aligns with soft determinism. He believes that freedom and determinism are compatible, and individuals can be responsible for their actions even if those actions are causally determined. Campbell argues that internal causes, such as an individual's desires and beliefs, play a significant role in shaping their actions and determining their responsibility.
On the other hand, an external cause refers to factors outside of an individual, such as environmental influences, societal pressures, and external circumstances, that impact their actions. An example of an external cause could be someone deciding to wear warm clothes on a cold day because the weather conditions prompted them to do so.
Baron d'Holbach, an Enlightenment-era philosopher, argues for a more deterministic view. He believes that human behavior is entirely determined by external causes, specifically by natural laws of the physical universe and the influence of one's environment. According to d'Holbach, individuals have no free will and are merely the products of these external causes.
While Campbell emphasizes the importance of internal causes and argues for the compatibility of freedom and determinism, d'Holbach emphasizes the dominance of external causes and denies human freedom altogether. These differing perspectives contribute to the broader discussion regarding the nature of human agency and responsibility in the context of determinism.
Soft determinists, also known as compatibilists, argue that free will and determinism are compatible. They contend that even though actions may be determined by various causes, individuals can still be morally responsible for their actions. One way they make this distinction is by classifying actions as having internal or external causes.
Internal causes refer to those causes that arise from within an individual's own desires, beliefs, and intentions. An example of an action with an internal cause can be when someone decides to donate money to a charitable organization out of their own sense of compassion and desire to help others. In this case, the individual's decision and subsequent action are driven by their personal values and motivations.
External causes, on the other hand, are factors that lie outside of an individual's control, such as societal pressure, upbringing, or environmental influences. For example, an individual may have grown up in an impoverished neighborhood with limited resources and opportunities. As a result, they may succumb to criminal behavior as a means to survive or escape their circumstances. In this scenario, the external factors of upbringing and environmental influences contribute to the individual's actions.
Two philosophers who have contributed to this discussion are Joseph Keim Campbell and Baron d'Holbach.
Joseph Keim Campbell, in his book "Free Will," argues that our actions are both determined and influenced by factors such as genetics, upbringing, and environmental influences. However, he maintains that individuals can still be morally responsible for their actions because they are acting in accordance with their own desires and values, even if those desires and values have been shaped by external factors. In Campbell's view, our actions are determined, but they also reflect our personal identity and character.
Baron d'Holbach, an 18th-century philosopher, takes a more deterministic stance. He contends that human actions are entirely determined by external causes, such as physical laws and societal influences. According to d'Holbach, individuals do not possess true free will, but rather are subject to the forces of determinism. Consequently, he argues that individuals should not be held morally responsible for their actions, as they have no control over them.
In summary, soft determinists or compatibilists distinguish between actions with internal and external causes. Internal causes arise from an individual's own desires, beliefs, and intentions, while external causes originate from factors beyond an individual's control. Philosophers like Joseph Keim Campbell argue that individuals can still be morally responsible for their actions, even in a deterministic framework. In contrast, thinkers like Baron d'Holbach take a deterministic stance and argue that individuals lack free will and, therefore, should not be held morally responsible for their actions.