The Causes of Human Actions

The free will debate presents disagreements between what the ultimate cause of human actions is.  One theory is in the ideals of determinists, they claim that all of our actions are generated or caused by the external environment or how an individual was raised.  The other theory is presented by libertarians, they claim that some of our actions are generated by “spontaneous free will” and some are generated by external causes. I find that the libertarian argument is more plausible for many reasons, and I also follow their views.

A.)  Libertarianism explains more types of human behavior than determinism.  As opposed to libertarianism, determinism does not explain multiple variables that contribute to discovering what the ultimate cause of human actions are.  I believe that libertarianism possesses more explanatory breadth for this reason since it is capable of explaining more human behaviors than determinism.

B.)  Libertarianism also explains more causes of human behavior than determinism.  This is because determinism simply discusses that all actions are caused by the external environment or how a person was brought up.  Following this, we can see that there is more explanatory depth to be found in libertarianism because it utilizes both free will, and external factors in its explanation of the ultimate cause of human actions.  In addition to these ideas, libertarianism also addresses the ultimate question with a bigger base or source, as it supports both free will and also the shaping from external factors.

C.)  Simplicity is a very important topic in this argument between theories.  As determinism presents its case as all actions being caused by external environments or how a person was raised we can see a significant amount of extra theorizing within itself. In one case we can recognize that, as determinism is based on these variables, it can be understood that as people are all from different upbringings there would be no real way to interpret causes of everyone based on such a specific basis.  As libertarians explain though, human actions are either caused by external environments and also free will.  This provides a more simple theory to understand.

D.)  Both theories of libertarianism, and determinism share the same amount of conservatism.  This is because whether based off of individual based ideas, or religious influenced ideas, there is not a steady agreement on whether or not human actions are caused by free will and external factors, or just external factors.  Since this argument is so black and white, it can be easily stated and seen how both the theories of determinism and libertarianism are about the same in weight when it comes to conservatism.

Libertarianism and behaviorism are the most plausible explanations of the ultimate cause of human actions. Libertarianism has much more explanatory breadth, depth and simplicity, and both libertarianism and determinism share about the same amount of conservatism. Therefore, libertarianism is the most plausible explanation of the ultimate cause of human actions.