problem and compatibilism vs. incompatibilism... does ne one know what this means or how it even relates
2007-04-26 07:48:18 · 5 answers · asked by Steph Step 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Good luck. Since the whole point of the story is to prove you don't.
2007-04-26 07:53:58 · answer #1 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before we get too involved, it is probably productive to define our terms so we're all talking about the same thing. Simply stated, free will is the idea that a person can make decisions and change the outcomes of events, which determinism suggests that events cannot be changed or that apparent choices are not actual choices. Incompatibilism suggests that free will and determinism are mutually exclusive, which compatibilism suggests that they are not - that's it possible to make choices and have determined events.
The movie "Butterfly Effect" obviously talks about making choices. This is one of the points the main characters' father makes - that only by CHOOSING not to interfere can happiness follow. Interestingly, it also seems to make an argument for determinism in that no matter how many changes the main character makes, he seems completely unable to produce certain outcomes. As if they are determined.
The movie, then, would seem to be suggesting a certain kind of compatibilism: some things are determined and all we can hope to alter are some of the details around them, while other things are not determined such as how we react to things.
Another way of looking at the film would be to incorporate the actual idea of the butterfly effect - that there are certain 'attractors' that tend to make events come out in similar ways even from different inputs. The 'determined' part, then, would be those attractors and their pull on events... the attractors aren't completely causing one outcome or another, but if the attractor is close enough it might be impossible to escape its influenced outcome. If attractors are far away, then anything might happen.
Hope that helps. Peace.
2007-04-26 10:18:08 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You get to watch movies in philosophy class? Times sure have changed. That particular movie is not a good example of the dynamism of free will versus determinism.
2007-04-26 09:19:47 · answer #3 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By asking this, you are having us do your homework for you and shortchanging yourself in the process by not trying to think about the topic. Perhaps you should check the online references first to get a broad understanding of the topics and then try watching the movie.
2007-04-26 09:03:40 · answer #4 · answered by ycats 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both movies just make you think of a problem that doesnt exist...why because its all just a game !!!! and tell ur teacher to rethink everything before sending **** homework cus thats lame ****
2007-04-26 07:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by buji 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋