People are not free to make moral decisions Essay Example for Free

People are not free to make moral decisions Essay Is it right to say that our actions are determined, or are they free? Hard determinists argue that when we make a moral decision, we have no free will. This is significant because if we do not choose our actions we cannot be held morally responsible. Given our experience of decision making this determinist position is hard to accept and perhaps the compatabilist approach of soft determinism is more valid. Soft Determinists recognise that we can make a decision freely that is coerced but the choices in themselves may be determined themselves. This contrasts with libertarianism, which states that we freely choose our actions and rejects determinism. To fully examine whether we are in fact free or not to make moral decisions, we must first analyse what particular factors affect our decision making. When we debate over a decision we consider/ weigh up our options, we know that we have a choice and only we can make that choice, this is known as a libertarian view. Libertarians believe that we have full responsibility of our actions and nothing else affects our decision, however genes, environment, lifestyle and our upbringing affect or sometimes might determine our choices. Determinism objects libertarianism and believes that our choices are influenced by factors other than the will of the individual, events and actions are predetermined by other events therefore freedom of choice is an illusion. Free will is the term made up of ‘autos’ meaning self and ‘nomos’ meaning rule. Many philosophers such as Kant say that you can only be responsible for actions that you undertake of your own will, this is opposed to Determinism. Libertarianism is the belief that humans are free to make moral choices and therefore morally responsible. â€Å"By liberty we can only mean a power of acting of not acting according to the determinations of the will†. David Hume. In the definition of libertarianism a distinction between the persons character or personality and his/or her moral self. It is this moral self or will that is free. â€Å"Your destiny is allotted to you, but you shall choose it for yourselves†. Plato. There are many arguments that support libertarianism, the most predominant of these being the argument from experience, this states that we all experience making choices, such as the very fact that I am sat here writing this essay is the result of a choice, I did have another option so I could’ve chose otherwise. We are also aware of going through a decision making process, we can weigh up our options and act upon this. Libertarians also believe in the necessary cause stating that for Y to happen X must have caused it, without X Y will not happen. This is a determinist understanding, However Libertarians recognise that causes are contingent and not necessary, they may or may not cause Y, this is a libertarian view. However opposed to this Determinists would argue that if free will exists then what actually causes our actions, surely our actions are caused by something, for example what about our past experiences and emotions? Also a determinist would argue is it part of human nature to assume that we are free and what exactly is moral responsibility, and how is this separate from our personality. If it comes from the soul then what causes the soul. Hard determinism states that people do not have free will to act in moral situations. It also states that everything has a prior cause which precedes it; everything is a product of the cause which is unchangeable and fixed. Therefore we cannot be held morally responsible or blameworthy for their actions because their actions are determined. When we think that we are making a moral decision, hard determinists believe that this is an illusion that we are free but in fact we are not and the decision that we made was already determined. John Locke’s example of the man in the locked room shows that we believe that we are free but we are actually not. However libertarians would argue that we had the choice whether or not to go into the locked room. Psychological determinism is another form of Hard Determinism. This suggests that our characters are determined by our upbringing and experiences. There are many influencing factors on human behaviour such as hereditary, society, culture and environment. Freud taught that our early years have impact on our actions in the future, there is also much evidence to support this view such as Pavlov’s dogs which operant conditioning demonstrates that we can mould our behaviour through rewards and sanctions, it also demonstrates how our behaviour is determined. However a libertarian would argue that just because you can condition one element of decision making doesn’t mean that all behaviour is determined, we always have a choice. Theological determinism is also another form of hard determinism. This is the view that the causal chain can be traced back to an uncaused causer, as shown in Aquinas’ Cosmological argument, and this uncaused causer is God. If God is, as suggested by Calvin through his predestination view which suggests that God has already determined a plan for us so we are either damned (going to hell) or elect (going to heaven) , an omnipotent and omniscient God then we cannot have free will as our actions must be predetermined because of this. There are many criticisms for this view that Libertarians would address as it conflicts with biblical teachings as in Genesis it states that God gave us free will and also for theological determinism to be accepted, libertarians would also argue that there is no proof of this God, so in their view we still have a choice. A form of Hard Determinism that contrasts and argues this view is scientific determinism; this approach states that science tells us that for every physical event there is a physical cause. If we consider the mind to be material activity in the brain, so then our thoughts are also pre determined. Another form of hard determinism is Biological determinism which states that our characters are determined by our genes, this is partly true as genes do give us our characteristics such as what we look like, even our IQ, all this can determine our behaviour for example the violent gene as evidence can be traced back to the genome (e. g. a violent gene recognised by the Italian supreme court). However libertarians would argue that because there is only 0. 2% variation in our DNA, so this doesn’t seem efficient enough to explain all the variations in human behaviour, it’s not just our genetic makeup that influences our behaviour, and they would argue that we always have a choice. Soft determinism states that we are morally responsible for our actions; this approach allows libertarianism and hard determinism to be compatible. It states that as long as no one forces you to make a decision then you are free, this can be described as internal freedom. However soft determinists make a distinction between internal and external causes, these explain why freedom and Jeremy moral responsibility are not only compatible with determinism but actually require it. Soft Determinism, unlike hard determinism, allows for moral responsibility, for example if person A does not save a drowning child because person A cannot swim, he is not morally responsible. However, if he chooses not to because of his personality, a combination of his conditioning, an upbringing and so forth, then he is to be held responsible. Soft determinists believe that all human actions are caused and when we say that a person acted freely we are not saying that there was no cause but rather they were not forced to do it, here they act as free agents even though their actions are still caused. A main philosopher associated with soft determinism is Hume whom was a soft-determinist. He stated that all things are necessary and believed that some things are uncaused or happen as the result of chance. Hume also believed that we are free, he goes on to say that we dont blame people for things they do ignorantly, and blame them less for things that are not premeditated, and any sense of moral blame can only come if something we do is the result of our character. Hume believed that free will, and moral responsibility, require determinism. Soft determinists are criticised by hard determinists for failing to realise the extent to which human freedom is limited and also by libertarians for failing to recognise the true extent of freedom. Whilst Soft determinism offers a ‘middle ground’ between hard determinism and libertinism an agreeable account of moral freedom, a line still has to be drawn between that which is determined and that which is open to choice. The major fault with soft determinism is that they have to try and agree on what is a determining factor and what is not and the complexities of genetics, psychology makes such a line difficult for them to draw. So In conclusion, through the arguments expressed in this essay, I believe that perhaps a Soft Determinist approach is more susceptible towards moral decision making, as although it allows us to make our own decisions, they are to an extent determined due to numerous factors such as our upbringing, environment and culture, however it also allows us to accept responsibility for our actions whatever they may be.

Capital Punishment Essays †An Eye for an Eye -- Argumentative Persuas

Capital Punishment Essays – An Eye for an Eye Life is a precious gift from God. Even when a person has no material possessions, life is still possessed. In light of these observations it is logical to assume that murder, the taking of another's life, is the most heinous of crimes. Undeniably, penalties imposed upon criminals should match the crimes committed. Therefore, the worst crime possible, murder, should receive the worst penalty possible, death. One argument against the death penalty is the Bible tells us not to murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of one human being by another. The death penalty is the lawful killing of a human being after a trial by peers. So by definition the death penalty is not murder, but justice. Furthermore, as stated by Ed Koch, a former US Government official, "the execution of a lawfully condemned killer is no more an act of murder than is legal imprisonment an act of kidnaping". Finally, the sam...

Project Timeline and Minutes of Meeting Essay

No ContentRemark Week 2 Planning the project 5 % Preliminary model selection 5 % Week 3Brainstorm and Gathering information20 % Week 4Final model section 10 % Week 5Implementation 35 % Week 6Writing the report 25 % Minutes of meeting 1 Date: Wednesday 12th September 2012 Time 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm Venue: Cafeteria North-wing Campus UCSI University Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Getting to know each other: Everyone introduced himself ?Providing means of communication (phone number, email and Facebook) 2-Project: ?Rough reading through the project ?Define project objective ?Project time frame ?Estimate project completion â€Å"15th October 2012† 3-Next Meeting: ?Saturday 15th September 12 pm at Ahmed’s apartment. Prepared by Ahmed Minutes of meeting 2: Date: Saturday 15th September 2012 Time12:00 pm – 2:30 pm Venue: Ahmed’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Project: ?Break down the project into smaller tasks ?Assign each member for specific task ?Discussed each task in detail 2-Model: ?Brainstorm a design for the model ?Hand draw the design ?Identify the model component 3-Next Meeting: ?Saturday 22nd September 1 pm – 2 pm at Sameer’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minutes of meeting 3: Postponed to 26th September due to tests Minute of meeting 4: Date: 26th September 2012 Time4:20 pm – 5:55 pm Venue: K207 North-wing Camps UCSI university Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Project ?Each member discussed and showed progress on assigned task 2-Model ?Members brought new design for the model ?Estimate the components cost ?Set the model implementation date â€Å" Saturday 29th September† 3-Next meeting ?Saturday 29th September 11:00 am at Samir’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minute of meeting 5: Date: 29th September 2012 Time11:00 am – 4:00 pm Venue: Samir’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Salam Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Model ?Update and adjust the model design â€Å"add & remove some features†. ?Sketch the new model ?Re-estimate the cost of the new model 2-Implementation: ?Purchased the desired components. ?Few components were not available in market â€Å"Wooden Mousetrap†. ?Decision made on the spot and agreed by all members to change the wooden mousetrap with a metal one to keep the project flow. ?Started fixing the component together 90% completion of model 3-Next meeting ?Sunday 7th October11:00 pm at Samir’s apartment Prepared by Ahmed Minute of meeting 6: Date: 7th October 8, 2012 Time2:00 am – 5:00 pm Venue: Samir’s Apartment Chaired by: Group leader â€Å" Samir â€Å" Attendance: †¢Samir Mohamoud â€Å"Group leader†. †¢Ahmed Abakar Ahmed Ibrahim †¢Abdul-Sala m Bakar †¢Omer Mohammed †¢Khalid Matter discussed: 1-Implementation ?Complete the implementation ?Run the model for its first time. ?Rerun the model to make sure is working properly. ?Test the model for the specified purposes ?The model showed success

Cundo es posible trabajar con visa F-1 de estudiante

Estudiar en los Estados Unidos es caro, por eso para los estudiantes internacionales con una visa F-1 es importante saber quà © opciones tienen para trabajar legalmente y asà ­ sufragar parte de sus gastos. En este artà ­culo, ademà ¡s de explicar los requisitos para las 4 opciones de trabajo se hace referencia a otras opciones para obtener ayuda econà ³mica. Y al final se mencionan opciones migratorias que permiten quedarse al finalizar los estudios y tambià ©n quà © error no se debe hacer ya que puede salir muy caro. Trabajar con una visa F-1 de estudiante dentro del campus La primera opcià ³n para trabajar se presenta en el mismo lugar donde se està ¡ estudiando. Y es que los  estudiantes con una F-1 que està ©n estudiando a tiempo completo pueden trabajar siguiendo estas reglas: Tiempo:  trabajar un mà ¡ximo de 20 horas semanales, excepto en vacaciones que pueden trabajar a tiempo completo Lugar: en campus significa eso pero tambià ©n admite que sea fuera, siempre y cuando el empleador sea una institucià ³n que tiene una relacià ³n de afiliacià ³n con la universidad o college, seminario, conservatorio, en el que el estudiante cursa sus estudios. Por ejemplo, otra universidad o un laboratorio. Tipo: el trabajo que se desempeà ±a tiene que estar relacionado de algà ºn modo con servicio a estudiantes. Por ejemplo, trabajo en bibliotecas, librerà ­as, etc. Permiso: tiene que contarse con la autorizacià ³n previa del Oficial Designado en la Escuela (DSO, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Cuà ¡ndo: comenzarse a trabajar hasta 30 dà ­as antes de comenzar el programa acadà ©mico. Pero una vez que à ©ste finaliza, asà ­ debe ocurrir con el empleo. La excepcià ³n son los casos en los que se cambia de programa.   Trabajar fuera del campus con una visa F-1 por necesidad econà ³mica En este caso es necesario cumplir con un mayor nà ºmero de requerimientos, como: Tener un estatus và ¡lido de estudianteEstar cursando a tiempo completoLlevar al menos un aà ±o acadà ©mico completo con la visa F-1 Necesidad econà ³mica urgente en casos como pà ©rdida sin culpa de puesto de empleo en el campus, cambios en la cotizacià ³n de la divisa del paà ­s del estudiante, facturas mà ©dicas, pà ©rdida de la ayuda financiera u otros gastos inesperados. Si se da alguno de esos casos y no es posible encontrar empleo dentro del campus, el estudiante debe dirigirse al Oficial Designado en la Escuela (DSO, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) para que este comunique la situacià ³n a las autoridades migratorias mediante el sistema SEVIS. Asimismo, el DSO proporcionarà ¡ una certificacià ³n que debe enviarse al Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) junto con la planilla I-765 y el pago de la cuota correspondiente para obtener asà ­ un permiso de trabajo. Es conveniente incluir todo tipo de documentacià ³n que sirva de apoyo a la razà ³n que se alega para solicitar ese permiso, (en inglà ©s. Este es un modelo de carta para certifica la traduccià ³n). Entrenamiento prà ¡ctico curricular (CPT, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) Se trata de prà ¡cticas pagadas que tienen que estar relacionadas con el grado que cursa el estudiante. Tienen que estar aprobadas por el DSO.   Pueden ser a tiempo parcial (menos de 20 horas a la semana), o, en à ©poca de vacaciones a tiempo completo (mà ¡s de 20 horas semanales). Hay que tener en cuenta que si a lo largo de sus estudios el estudiante completa mà ¡s de un aà ±o CPT a tiempo completo, al licenciarse (egresado) no podrà ¡ disfrutar de un OPT. Entrenamiento prà ¡ctico opcional (OPT, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) Se puede realizar durante los estudios de licenciatura, maestrà ­a o doctorado o al  finalizar los mismos.  Estas  son las reglas  para la OPT. El permiso de trabajo en este caso tiene una duracià ³n mà ¡xima de 1 aà ±os, si bien en ciertos campos relacionados con las Ciencias y la Tecnologà ­a se puede prorrogar hasta los 17 meses. A tener en cuenta cuando se trabaja Si se trabaja, el DSO proporcionarà ¡ la documentacià ³n necesaria para solicitar una tarjeta del Nà ºmero del Seguro Social. Al trabajar, hay que reportar los ingresos y, en su caso, pagar impuestos. Si se trabaja sin permiso, eso es una violacià ³n migratoria, que puede tener consecuencias muy serias. Caminos para quedarse en USA trabajando al finalizar los estudios universitarios La mayorà ­a de los estudiantes internacionales regresan a sus paà ­ses de origen. Pero un buen nà ºmero se quedan, al menos temporalmente, al lograr obtener una visa de trabajo, generalmente una H-1B para profesionales, siendo muy solicitadas por los profesionales en el sector tecnolà ³gico. Si bien no son las à ºnicas visas de trabajo disponibles. Ademà ¡s, en el caso de mexicanos, hay que destacar las visas TN para profesionales, que abren puertas sin tener los inconvenientes de cupo mà ¡ximo de las H-1B que en la mayorà ­a de los casos dejan sin anualmente a miles de candidatos con patrocinador. Asimismo, tambià ©n es posible conseguir una tarjeta de residencia (green card) ya que las empresas pueden patrocinar por razà ³n de trabajo. Estas son las empresas que mà ¡s trabajadores esponsorizan. Finalmente, tambià ©n es posible quedarse en Estados Unidos en casos de ajuste de estatus por matrimonio o similares. Cà ³mo conseguir dinero para pagar por los estudios en Estados Unidos El camino mà ¡s transitado por los estudiantes es el de buscar y obtener becas. Estas pueden ser de instituciones o empresas del paà ­s de cada uno o tambià ©n de Estados Unidos, ya que hay muchas de ellas que no excluyen a los estudiantes internacionales, por ejemplo, à ©stas  de universidades de à ©lite. Casi todas las universidades tienen sus propios paquetes y sus reglas de cuà ¡nto y a quià ©n pueden becar. Y tambià ©n existen instituciones que brindan becas por temas, dependiendo de quà © se estudia o quà © proyecto o trabajo se presenta. Tambià ©n existe la posibilidad de pedir crà ©ditos para estudiante y, finalmente, tambià ©n se puede considerar la posibilidad de realizar parte de los estudios universitarios en community colleges, que resultan mà ¡s asequibles, entre otra ventajas que brindan. Quà © errores deben evitar los estudiantes internacionales En primer lugar, no olvidar que trabajar sin permiso es una violacià ³n migratoria. Si hay una denuncia que puede ser anà ³nima o por cualquier otra razà ³n Inmigracià ³n se entera las consecuencias van a ser graves. Y en segundo lugar, recordar que los estudiantes internacionales necesitan una visa para estudiar a tiempo completo. Es cierto que las instituciones educativas admiten a indocumentados. Pero de lo que se trata es de precisamente no acabar en esa categorà ­a migratoria por no utilizar la visa correcta. Esto es relativamente frecuente en los casos de estudiantes internacionales que cursan la high school en Estados Unidos y por errores de este tipo acaban sin visa ellos y sus padres. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.