The Illusion of Free Will Lianne MacDougall We are governed by the laws of physics, invariably hindering our ability to exercise free will. ... To understand what is taking place in this example, we must understand some simple laws of physics. ... Our brains are dictated by the laws of physics, by the motions and interactions of atoms. Therefore, the brain can not reflect or decide differently other than how the principles of physics direct it at the time. ... The motions of atoms must obey the universal laws of physics, in which there seems to be no room for choice or freedo...

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• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The cosmological argument, or the first cause argument, centers around the belief that the universe had a first cause. It is based on an a posteriori premise, which means that the argument is taken from experience of what can be seen around the world and universe. The word cosmos refers to the unive...

• Word Count: 1502
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

David Hume once described the question of free will as "the most contentious question of metaphysics, the most contentious science" (Hume 1748: 95). One of the most debated questions in metaphysics and philosophy is the one this essay will investigate. At first glance, the idea of whether we are al...

• Word Count: 1943
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Donald Davidson: "Mental Events" "Mental Events", by Donald Davidson, defends a view of Token physicalism known as Anomalous Monism. Token physicalism claims that every event that falls under a mental-event kind, also falls under a physical-event kind. According to Davidson, "Anomalous Monism r...

• Word Count: 1869
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

There are many arguments for and against the existence of a God. Some have been eloquently thought out and backed, others not so much. We hear constant ramblings and lectures of how everything began, why it is, and how to act from all sorts of perspectives around the world. The theological standpoint is a highly scrutinized yet vastly followed position that, depending on your own stance, is holy gospel or horrid gossip. One strong argument for the existence of God is the "Cosmological Argument" that because there was a "big bang" or center of movement in the universe, then ...

• Word Count: 2451
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School