In: Psychology
Philosophy Describe the theory of compatibilism. Do you think it works? please describe in 200 words response.
The theory of compatibilism provides a solution to the problem of free will vs determinism. The doctrine of free will states that individuals have the free will to act according to their own wishes while determinism states that all behaviors are determined by external pre existing causes over which the individual has no control. This theory states that both free will and determinism are mutually compatible. One of the criticisms placed on the idea of determinism was that it makes a mess of morality by allowing individuals to shirk from the responsibility of taking morally correct actions. The theory of compatibilism aims to solve this problem by positing the idea that the two are compatible.
I support the idea of compatibilism. It suggests a realistic compromise between the two doctrines. It is largely true that while the world we live in may be deterministic, we have a degree of free will in that deterministic world.