Determinism

Definition

Determinism is the philosophical concept that every event or action, including human decisions and behavior, is determined by preceding events in accordance with the natural laws. This idea suggests that free will is an illusion, as all choices are influenced by prior causes and conditions, which connects to understanding human nature and behavior.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes's view of human nature is rooted in a deterministic framework where he argues that human actions are predictable based on natural laws and prior causes.
2. Determinism challenges the notion of moral responsibility, as it suggests that individuals cannot truly be held accountable for their actions if those actions are predetermined.
3. According to Hobbes, understanding human motivations through a deterministic lens allows for better governance and social order, as behaviors can be anticipated and managed.
4. Hobbes believed that human desires and fears drive behavior in a deterministic way, leading individuals to act in self-preservation and seek power.
5. In Hobbes's social contract theory, determinism supports the need for a strong sovereign authority to maintain peace and prevent conflict arising from humans' naturally selfish tendencies.

Review Questions

• How does determinism shape Hobbes's understanding of human nature and behavior?
  • Determinism significantly shapes Hobbes's understanding of human nature by positing that all human actions are the result of prior causes and natural laws. This leads him to believe that humans are driven by basic desires and fears, which dictate their behavior in predictable ways. By recognizing this deterministic view, Hobbes argues for a structured society where a strong sovereign can manage these natural impulses, thereby promoting order and preventing chaos.
• Discuss the implications of determinism on moral responsibility according to Hobbes's theory.
  • In Hobbes's theory, determinism raises important questions about moral responsibility. If every action is predetermined by prior causes, then the concept of free will is undermined, making it difficult to hold individuals morally accountable for their actions. Hobbes suggests that understanding this framework is essential for establishing laws and governance since it shifts the focus from individual blame to creating systems that manage predictable human behavior.
• Evaluate how determinism influences Hobbes's advocacy for a strong government in maintaining social order.
  • Determinism influences Hobbes's advocacy for a strong government by reinforcing his belief that human behavior is inherently selfish and driven by predetermined impulses. This perspective leads him to argue that without a powerful authority to regulate these impulses, society would descend into chaos characterized by constant conflict. By establishing a sovereign authority, Hobbes believes it is possible to create a stable social order that can effectively anticipate and manage the deterministic tendencies of human nature.

Related terms

Materialism:

The belief that everything that exists is made of physical matter and that all phenomena can be explained through material interactions.

Causality: The principle that every effect has a cause, highlighting the relationship between actions and their consequences.

Libertarianism: In the context of free will, it refers to the philosophical stance that individuals have the capacity to make free choices independent of prior causes.