The problems with determinism

To show the idea that combatibilism could work is to show the problems that arise from the deterministic theory.

The main problem that comes from determinism is the problem of moral responsibility.

Moral responsibility is the idea that as human beings, we know that our actions have consequences, that if you stab someone, they will get injured and may possibly die, and with that moral responsibility could be the feeling of guilt to the punishment for assault/murder .

We have morals, these are the sets of unwritten rules that we adhere to in order to function in society. If we act immorally, we have punishments.

According to P.F Strawson, moral responsibility is based around our reactive emotions towards someone and these will justify punishment or reward.

 But if the universe is fully determined, then how could we possibly be held accountable for our actions.

Free will is based on the idea that we have a choice and could have done otherwise, but in a world that is wholly deterministic, we can't have done otherwise.

The problem with this topic is that there are so many different account of each aspect that if you analyze one account of an aspect in one way, it may turn out okay but then when you try and apply that approach to a different account of  the same aspect it probably won’t work.

Determinism in a nutshell.

Determinism.

The dictionary meaning of Determinism is this

It’s an idea that is based around the concept that everything is caused. The act or event that has just occurred was caused by the event or act that preceded it. The way you are, what has happened in the world and what will become is all caused.

This idea encompasses both internal psychological causes and external physical causes. So things that happen in your childhood were caused by something and will in turn cause something else. Be it psychological or physical.

What is so difficult about accepting this, is that it makes humans feel less important, like they have no say, a feeling of insignificance. There are people who agree with this position (obviously) but I think these kinds of people probably find the consequences of the idea a lot less threatening. 

(The thing with a lot of philosophical problems is exactly this, that the potential right answer is a lot harder to swallow than the possible wrong answer.)