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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay in two parts. The first part addresses William James’ critique of determinism and the second compares the thoughts of Descartes and Nietzsche on the self. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khjadn.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
James grounds his position in how people perceive reality, that is, subjective experience. His argument involves two diametrically opposed positions that pertain to the nature of human behavior. Determinism is
the position that "all human actions are determined, or caused, by natural and/or environmental forces beyond human control" (Chaparian 36). Libertarianism refers to the belief that "at least some human
actions are free" (Chaparian 36). Determinists, such as the behaviorist branch of psychology, believe that people do not possess free will and that their behavior derives completely from environmental
influences, i.e., rewards and punishments. James concludes that "...the determinist cannot prove that all actions are the inevitable effects of prior causes" (Chaparian 40). Therefore, the Libertarian viewpoint should
deserves to be considered. He bases his defense of free will on two principal arguments. First of all, he cites the "existence of possible actions; that is, actions that
a person is not inevitably determined to do but may perform nonetheless" (Chaparian 40). We all feel that we have choices in life. While a Determinist would say that this
feeling of choice is an illusion, James acknowledges that the human view of reality confirms this subjective opinion. If determinism was always correct, there would be no cases of individuals
rising above childhoods of extreme poverty or abuse, yet cases do occur. James second argument in defense of free will point to the phenomenon of regret. A person, such as
a student, can make a choice, to study or not to study, and then later regret that choice after receiving a poor grade on a test. If there is no
free will, the student had not choice in the matter of studying and would, therefore, not regret this behavior. James conclusively shows the flaws in Determinism, which is correct in
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