Review Sheet for Exam 1

 
1. Know some basic logical forms (MP, MT, MMP, MMT, DS). Be able to define the following terms: argument, valid, sound.

2. Be able to state and explain the following theories: HD, ASD, MI, and LIB. Remember that in order to explain these theories properly, you must be able to provide a definition for each technical term employed in each of these theories.
 
3. Be able to state and comment upon the following principles: PUC, FWT, a Principle about Incompatibility, MR1, MR2, PUC', and FWT'.
 
4. Be able to Present, Explain, and Evaluate (PEE) the following arguments:

• An Argument for Incompatibility
• Argument from the Feeling of Freedom
• Argument from Choice
• Argument from Drive Resistance
• Argument from Moral Responsibility
• An Argument against ASD
• An Argument against MI
• An Argument against LIB
   
• Recall that in order to PEE an argument properly, you must be able to (i) write it down in valid form, (ii) provide accounts for all of the technical terms contained in the argument, (iii) provide a rationale for each premise in the argument, and (iv) evaluate the argument.

5. Be able to provide an evaluation of each premise of each argument from the perspective of each theory that we've studied. For example: Does an Ayerian Soft Determinist believe that sometimes we're morally responsible for our actions? Does an Ayerian Soft Determinist believe that the Argument from Moral Responsibility against Hard Determinism is sound? Does a Hard Determinist believe that it is not the case that Contaminated Connie is morally responsible for killing the Great Leader?

6. Remember: You might be called upon to provide a definition for any of the following terms and phrases: c is a cause of e, volition, standard volition, properly voluntary action, free volition (as interpreted by the moderate indeterminist), freely willed action (as interpreted by the moderate indeterminist), e1 event-causes e2, M agent-causes e.

7. Know the stories of Controlled Connie, Contaminated Connie, Free Jack, and Crazy Ralph. Understand the relevance of these stories to objections against TSD, ASD, EI, and MI, respectively.

8. It is likely that there will be TWO essay questions on Exam 1. It's also likely that I'll choose one of the following essay questions to paste onto the exam. On the other essay question, you will be required to give a rationale for a selected premise from an argument of my choice.

I. Hard Determinism

1. Define 'e1 causes e2'.
2. State HD; that is, write down the two principles that constitute HD.
3. PEE the Argument from Moral Responsibility against HD.
4. Indicate which premise in the argument a Hard Determinist would reject and why she would reject it. Evaluate the objection. Do you believe the objection to be a persuasive one? Why or why not?

II. Ayerian Soft Determinism

1. Define 'volition', 'standard volition', and 'properly voluntary action'.
2. State ASD, that is, write down the three principles that constitute ASD.
3. PEE the Argument from Contaminated Connie against ASD.

III. Libertarianism

1. Define ‘event-causation’ and ‘agent-causation’.
2. State LIB; that is, write down the two principles that constitute LIB.
3. Present an objection against LIB based upon either (i) something in Chisholm’s “Human Freedom and the Self” or (ii) some commentary by the author of your textbook Ultimate Questions.
4. Provide some evaluative commentary on the objection. Do you believe the objection to be a persuasive one? Do you believe that the objection presents serious problems for LIB? Why or why not?