Question

In: Psychology

Describe D'Holbach's argument for why we do not have free will, even though it might appear...

Describe D'Holbach's argument for why we do not have free will, even though it might appear to us that we do. Is he right? Explain your answer in 200 words.

Solutions

Expert Solution

D'Holbach suggests that there is only matter in this universe and this matter functions according to the physical law they are tied to. This would mean that all that operates in this world do not do so because they have decided to do so but because they are forced to do so, thus questioning freewill. He further elaborates that human beings as part of the matter function in the same way as they wouldn’t be able to alter the universe but would act as per the physical law that would be directed through the brain impulses. He rejects the notion of a supernatural entity or soul that guides human beings by stating the actions of the human being are the reactions to the already determined world in front of them. He brings out the importance of people as the prisoners of their own environment in which they are forced to act in a certain way whether they like it or not. According to him, since human being cannot escape the physical law, free will is only an illusion and no one can escape the physical law that keeps every matter in the universe in its control. This would mean that people would only learn to live as per the physical laws and not as per their free will.

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