ABSTRACT
To what extent are the choices we make truly free? At least at first glance, there is a problem squaring the existence of human free will with the fact that we have (or we are) physical bodies that are subject to the laws of biology, chemistry, and physics. Perhaps freedom is just an illusion. Perhaps the trajectory of my life is just as predictable and unalterable as the trajectory of a stone that has been hurled through the air-outside forces such as gravity and air resistance will affect its flight path, but there is nothing that it can do to change its movement. What is the relationship between determinism and freedom of the will? If determinism is true, does that imply that none of my “choices” are free? If so, what does that say aboutmoral responsibility?How can I be heldmorally (or legally) responsible for actions that I couldnot possibly avoiddoing?Maybedeterminism is false. Maybe at least some of my decisions could have turned out otherwise. Is that what is meant by “freedom of the will”? This topic is broken up as follows. Section 5.1will examinewhat scientists and philosophers mean by the word “determinism.” After a brief overview of the two focus films, we move on to look at the relationship among determinism, freedom of the will, and moral responsibility, using Minority Report and Memento as a source of ideas and illustrations.
