Argument and Logic

I have chosen to write a response to the text excerpt regarding free will versus determinism. The argument proposes that physical laws seem to contradict the idea of free will in humans, by arguing that human choices alter the behavior of atoms, which are ruled exclusively by physical law. The author uses an example of voluntary human movement (free will) to argue that atoms are not governed by the determinism of physical law. While the author uses a valid argument by providing a reason to accept the assumption, I believe that the author uses faulty logic to support the conclusions made in the article.

The article introduces a false dilemma by arguing that either there is free will, or there is determinism, but no other alternatives. While it is scientific fact that atoms behave in predictable ways, the author fails to recognize that when atoms group together to form various things, such as humans and arms, that they become more than simple atoms. When one moves, ones arm (free will) the atoms contained in the arm respond as expected, and do not break the laws of physics. The atoms contained in the arms of humans making decisions act as expected, regardless of the circumstances. When an individual makes as choice, which is allowed under the presumption free will the atoms in that individuals body continue to obey the laws of physics and cannot go outside of those laws. For example, while a human make be able to make the decision to raise his or her arm, they cannot make the decision to change the shape or size of their arm, which is determined by the atoms in the arm.

Therefore, if I choose to move any part of my body through my own free will, the atoms in my body respond and act according to the determination set forth by the physical laws that govern them; they do not act in an unexpected way. The movement I decide make may cause the atoms to be in a different space in a different time, but does not break the laws of physics.

References

Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2008). Philosophy: The power of ideas (7th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.