Determinism, Sciences, and Objections

Question 1

From Physics, what picture do we derive of the universe?

Answer 1

A giant mechanical universe, a ‘clockwork universe’ that follows certain predetermined laws of nature.

Question 2

According to Physics, human beings are part of what?

Answer 2

Part of this mechanical universe.

Question 3

According to Physics, what are human beings subject to?

Answer 3

Certain laws that are deterministic.

Question 4

From Biology, what do we learn about the universal mechanical nature?

Answer 4

It shows itself in the lives and behavior of human beings.

Question 5

From Freudian Psychoanalysis, what do we learn about much of human behavior?

Answer 5

It is controlled by unconscious motivation.

Question 6

From Psychological Behaviorism, what do we learn about a lot of what we do?

Answer 6

It is a result of conditioning.

Question 7

From Sociology, what are we told about our beliefs and behavior?

Answer 7

They are shaped by the social context of our lives.

Question 8

According to these views, we are all part of what kind of order?

Answer 8

A universal cosmic and causal order.

Question 9

Because of these views, what case seems to be strong?

Answer 9

The case for determinism.

Question 10

What is the section called that answers the case for determinism?

Answer 10

Objections.

Question 11

What does the argument of the determinists claim about methods of science?

Answer 11

That the methods of science favor their view.

Question 12

Why is the argument of the determinists invalid?

Answer 12

Because the argument that under certain conditions there can be only one result is clearly unsound.

Question 13

What do many scientists believe in?

Answer 13

Statistical laws.

Question 14

According to scientists, there can be what instead of only one result?

Answer 14

Sometimes a certain percentage, not always a given result.

Question 15

What did Bertrand Russell observe about a physicist?

Answer 15

“A physicist looks for causes; that does not necessarily imply that there are causes everywhere.”

Question 16

What example is given about a man looking for gold?

Answer 16

A man looks for gold without assuming that there is gold everywhere. If he finds gold, well and good. If he doesn’t, he’s had bad luck.

Question 17

According to the example, what is the same when a physicist looks for causes?

Answer 17

The same is true when the physicist looks for causes.