Are Humans Free?

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by xcvcx

I have an essay that needs to be written on are humans free or are our lives determined for us? We need to use 3 of these units in the essay along with a few philosophers. (Logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social/political philosophy) to support our arguments. I'm thinking of going for "humans are free" but there is so much information I have no idea where to start. I spent an hour reading topics and posts but I don't know what to use. We can't use our own opinions unless we have a philosopher to back us up or we have some information from the units.

Would anyone be able to direct me towards some information related to say ethics and free will? Maybe 3 arguments that could be used because I am at a complete loss here.

Thanks in advance

John

Daniel Dennett's, Elbow Room

[Alan McDougall]

We are not free, we have to breath, eat and drink to survive. Read Maslows Hierachy of needs
We are only free when you remove the word NEED

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._needs.svg.png http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/co...gnify-clip.png
An interpretation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, represented as a pyramid with the more basic needs at the bottom.[1]

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by Alan McDougall

We are not free, we have to breath, eat and drink to survive. Read Maslows Hierachy of needs
We are only free when you remove the word NEED

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._needs.svg.png http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/co...gnify-clip.png
An interpretation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, represented as a pyramid with the more basic needs at the bottom.[1]

Where are the grains, and the fruits and vegetables? Or is that the wrong pyramid?

[Theaetetus]

The major problem with Maslow's hierarchy of needs is the fact that the acceptance of facts is at the top. That is ridiculous to say the least.

[Alan McDougall]

Originally Posted by Theaetetus

The major problem with Maslow's hierarchy of needs is the fact that the acceptance of facts is at the top. That is ridiculous to say the least.

Maralows need hierarchy is not set in stone. For instance some artist fervent needs are so driven by the urge to create that need to eat or drink is sublimated to the degree of starvation or failure of bodilly fuyions

I agree that triangle should be the other way around, with the basic needs like breath, eat drink at the top and only when those prime needs are satisfied do the other needs take over

[manlyhallstudent]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

When I chose chocolate ice-cream, the other day, I was free to choose butterscotch, and a number of other flavors. I just did not. But I could have. Nothing compelled me to choose chocolate.

Something compelled you to choose icecream

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by manlyhallstudent

Something compelled you to choose icecream

Why do you think that? You weren't even there! Why would anyone do that, anyway?

[manlyhallstudent]

Sorry, why would anyone do what? Compel you to eat icecream?

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by manlyhallstudent

Sorry, why would anyone do what? Compel you to eat icecream?

Yes, of course. My mother would compel me to eat carrots, but never ice-cream. I would not need to be compelled to eat ice-cream!

[Darkpoet]

We humans, in my opinion, and so with the rest of the universe are not free, not at all. We are driven by many things, mostly our need to survive and understand the world around us, but I think there is much more than simple questions that drives us. I believe that a high deity controls our very being, by the use of what we perceive.

So, no, we do not have free will, nor are we "free".