Introduction to Philosophy
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Dr. Ned Beach, Instructor
Fall, 2007

Essay Topic #1:

Robert Blatchford maintains a position of "hard determinism," arguing against free will. He holds that human behavior is determined by two main causal influences. What are these and why, according to him, are they sufficient to explain human behavior? If it should be objected that a person can, after all, 'do as he likes,' Blatchford has a ready answer. What is it, and how does it corroborate his argument as a whole?

Essay Topic #2:

Explain Walter Terence Stace's "compatibilist" position regarding the apparent conflict between determinism and free will. Does Stace believe it is possible for human beings to escape causal determinations in some manner that Blatchford denies or overlooks? Why, or why not?

Essay Topic #3:

Richard Taylor tries to steer a middle course in the controversy between the determinists and the voluntarists (advocates of free will). To begin with, however, he dismisses the position of compatibilism such as that maintained by Stace. Why? Taylor further rejects indeterminism as a solution to the problem. What difficulties does he find here? Finally, Taylor proposes "two items of data" to which, he suggests, any adequate theory of volition must do justice. What are those two items, and what theory does Taylor ultimately espouse on their account? Does Taylor claim to be certain of the theory he proposes? Why, or why not?

Essay Topic #4:

What is Karl Menninger's argument concerning the implications of causal determinacy for the proper understanding of the meaning and purpose of punishment? What model of punishment does he recommend in place of the old retributivist (or retaliative) model, and why?

Essay Topic #5:

What is C.S. Lewis's argument concerning the minimum requirements of justice with respect to the meaning and purpose of punishment? What model of punishment does he recommend in place of the modern therapeutic model, and why?