According to the principle of determinism, every event has a cause that makes it inevitable. This includes human thoughts and actions. The passage uses the example of formulating a thesis and writing an essay to illustrate this point. It argues that if determinism is true, the thoughts one is having now and the quality of the upcoming essay are the unavoidable results of one's genetics, upbringing, brain state, and the current situation, determined since birth. This raises questions about whether people deserve praise or blame for their actions if they are inevitable. The essay question asks which theory - libertarianism, hard determinism, or compatibilism - best explains the relationship between moral responsibility, freedom, and determinism.

1. Determinism
According to the principle of determinism, every event that takes place in the world has a
cause. Whether or not the event is snow falling, birds chirping or humans thinking, the
determinist asserts that each and every event that occurs in the world has a cause, or series
of causes, that makes the event, and everything connected to it, inevitable. Now consider
what this means for your thoughts at this present moment and for your forthcoming Module
3 Essay. Presumably, at this present moment, you are thinking very deeply about
formulating a thesis that is interesting, compelling, specific and shows good understanding
of the material. And, hopefully, these thoughts will lead to a high quality essay. However, if
determinism is true (and, of course, there are very good reasons for thinking that it is),
EVERY single thing that you are thinking at this present moment is the unavoidable product
of your personality (e.g., brain state, genetics and upbringing), the situation that you find
yourself in, along with basic laws of nature. The same goes for your forthcoming essay. In
this way, the particular thesis that you will end up “choosing,” the quality of your essay and
the words that you will employ, all would be inevitable and indeed predictable (in principle)
from the moment of your birth. In such a case, would it make sense to say that you deserve
the grade that you will get on your essay? Notice that the same type of question can be
posed for ANY human event for which we might be inclined to ascribe praise and blame. Did
Mother Teresa deserve to be praised for her charitable acts? Did Hitler deserve to be
condemned for his moral atrocities? Ultimately, the answer to these questions depends on
one’s view of the complex relationship between determinism, freedom and moral
responsibility. Essay Question: Which theory best explains the true nature of moral
responsibility and its relation to human freedom and determinism–libertarianism, hard
determinism or compatibilism? In your answer, be sure to demonstrate an understanding of
each of the three theories. Instructions 1.View the “Essay Writing Guide” attached to this
folder. 2.Write and submit a thoughtful, clear and succinct thesis writing assignment of
1000-1500 words, in direct response to the Module 3 assignment above. 3.Draw directly
upon our assigned textbook readings for this Module in carefully crafting your detailed
response. 4.In answering the essay question provided, carefully review, reflect upon, and
attempt to integrate the textbook material covered in Chapter 2: Section 2.5-2.8. 5.Please
double-space your submission, include your name at the top of its first page, and be sure to
cite all sources quoted or paraphrased from (even if it’s only our textbook). Please take
careful note of the above formatting instructions. 6.Don’t forget to include a bibliography or
“works cited” page at the end! 7.Submit it to the Module 3 Essay assignment to the folder no

2. later than the last day of this Module. See the Schedule in the Start Here! Module for due
dates and the rubric attached to this folder for grading information.#Determinism