What is the definition of determinism?

Assignment Details

For this Discussion Board, you will write a dialogue between yourself and an imaginary Socrates. You will debate the question of free will versus determinism. Remember that the Socratic Method involves asking a series of questions to clarify key words and ideas. In your dialogue, the imaginary Socrates should be asking clarifying questions, and you will be answering them. Please refer to the excerpt from Plato’s Meno as an example (below) to model your dialogue. This post should be 3–4 paragraphs.

Your post should be a dialogue, which addresses the following questions, using the Socratic Method:

• What is the definition of determinism?
• What is the definition of free will?
• Do you agree that every event has an explanatory cause?
• How do you define event?
• How do you define explanatory cause?
• Do you agree that every human choice or event has an explanatory cause?
• How do you define human choice? How do you define human event? Are they different?
• Do you agree that to have an explanatory cause is to not be free?
• How do you define free?
• Do you think that free will and determinism can coexist in any way?
• Is it possible to have external determinism and internal free will?

To have cohesion and reach solid conclusions, your imaginary Socrates will probably ask you more questions than the ones listed above. Be sure to include all of the above ideas in your dialogue.

Review Checklist before submitting post:

Your dialogue should also include all of the following:

• Use the Socratic Method to form all conclusions (this will be achieved by the question and answer dialogue between you and the imaginary Socrates).
• Clear and concise language, using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Correct definitions of free will and determinism
• Logical explanations and valid reasoning for each conclusion
• Clear answers to each question with a definite stance or position
• You must reach a conclusive answer to each question

Example:

• Click here to read and excerpt from Plato’s Meno (Soccio, 1995).In a researched essay: Consider a work situation or a social situation in which you believe that your right and ability to make a decision from free will was compromised by obstacles or rules or societal norms. Answer the following questions:

  · Why do you think that free will was compromised?

  · What led you to make the decisions and take the actions that you took?

  · How did you resolve the differences between what you really wanted to do in the situation, and what the restrictions, rules, or societal conventions “told” you to do?

  · How should people, in general, react to conflicting feelings about the actions to take in given situations?

  · Should they follow the rules, or should they be free to pursue what they believe to be right, regardless of the rules?

  Base your discussion and argument on what you have learned about free will, determinism, and other philosophical concepts. Use outside resources, from your reading materials, the library or elsewhere, to complete the assignment. Use the APA document format to construct your paper, and be sure to follow guidelines for research citations and reference formatting. Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Grading Rubric:

  Purpose of Assignment and Content Development	Demonstrates an outstanding use of appropriate, relevant, and compelling content with excellent expression of topic, main idea, and purpose. Demonstrates exemplary knowledge or analysis of human perspectives appropriate to the assignment’s purpose and context. Graphics accurately reflect the assignment requirements.	30%
  Organization, Grammar and Presentation	Organization is clear. Language clearly and effectively communicates ideas and content relevant to the assignment. Presentation and delivery are confident and persuasive (where applicable). Audience, style, tone and perspective are consistent and appropriate to assignment. Format is consistently appropriate to assignment, and follows assignment requirements. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.	30%
  Information Literacy and Research	Demonstrates outstanding selection and use of high quality, credible, and relevant sources to develop ideas that are appropriate to the assignment. Sources are consistently cited according to required style sheet (e.g., APA), with no errors beyond punctuation. Manuscript style is completely correct, according to style sheet guidelines.	5%
  Critical Thinking	Demonstrates outstanding or exemplary ability to analyze assumptions and evaluate evidence, complexities of issues, and alternatives. Where required, demonstrates outstanding or exemplary ability to use creativity and originality in problem-solving.