Compatibilists explained

Compatibilists

Compatibilists are also fondly known as Soft Determinists.

Hume (Mid 18^th century Philosopher) believed that an action is free if the agent could have done otherwise, had the agent wanted to. But this means that the agents actions are caused by the agents beliefs and values.

So basically, that described action is free and caused.

In a philosophy class the argument of combatibilism looks like 
this

F (Free will)

D (Determinism)

________________

F and D are compatible.

There are two important objections to combatibilism, Firstly the nature of compulsive behaviors such as kleptomainia. Compulsive behavior such as this is an obsession that they believe is their desire. The problem here being is that they (by themselves) probably could not have done otherwise. I say by themselves simply because of the fact that I’m sure there is therapy for these kinds of behaviors, however it’s so heavily assisted, that you would say without them they would be the same.

And secondly, Locke’s locked room.

John Locke is a 17^th Century philosopher, proposed this thought experiment.

A man goes into a room to talk to his friend, on his own accord. This would be considered a free action, however unbeknownst to him, the door has been locked behind him. He thinks he is free, staying in there is his free choice, but is he free?