Value of Choices

in Relation to
Freedom
• Freedom involves the ability to make
choices that shape our lives.
• Jean-Paul Sartre famously argued that
human existence is defined by our
capacity to choose, which he termed as
living an "authentic" life.
• However, the concept of determinism,
which suggests that every event,
including human actions, is determined
by preceding events and natural laws,
challenges the notion of free choice.
Value of Choice
• Despite the challenges posed by determinism, the value
of choice remains significant.
• People are concerned about the loss of humanity's value
when choices are restricted or eliminated.
• The absence of choice diminishes individual control
over one's life and destroys human dignity, as it suggests
a lack of autonomy and self-direction.
Fatalism and Determinism
• Determinism can lead to fatalism, a belief that events
are predetermined and inevitable.
• This perspective can render life as futile or absurd since
individuals feel compelled to follow a predetermined
path dictated by natural laws.
• In such a scenario, actions may not truly be choices but
rather predetermined outcomes, undermining the
essence of free will.
Autonomy and Responsibility
• The ability to choose is essential for human
autonomy, allowing individuals to act
according to their values, beliefs, and desires.
• Choice also brings forth the concept of
responsibility, as individuals are held
accountable for the consequences of their
chosen actions.
• Deliberate actions based on personal choices
highlight the autonomy and agency inherent in
human beings.
Prudence and Accountability

• When individuals know they are accountable for

their choices, they tend to approach decision-making
with greater caution and prudence.
• The awareness of potential consequences encourages
individuals to consider the outcomes of their actions
before making choices.
• This sense of accountability fosters responsible
decision-making and helps individuals navigate
complex moral and ethical dilemmas.
Can you recall a specific moment in your
life when making a difficult choice led to
personal growth or a deeper understanding
of your values and priorities? How did
that experience shape your perspective on
the value of choices in relation to
freedom?
Nature of the
Choices We
Make
Robert Nozick’s Perspective
• Robert Nozick, a prominent philosopher,
explored the complexity of decision-
making in his book "Philosophical
Explanations" (1981).
• Nozick delved into the process of
weighing reasons when making choices.
• His insights shed light on how we
navigate alternatives and make decisions.
Weighing Reasons
• Decision-making involves evaluating
reasons for and against each alternative.
• Nozick's concept emphasizes that
decisions are not merely based on options
but on the weight we give to reasons
supporting those options.
• This process of assigning weight to
reasons influences our final choices.
Causality and Free Will

• Nozick's perspective on causality and free

will is pivotal in understanding choice.
• While actions may have causes, our
choices remain undetermined until we
make them.
• This distinction highlights the autonomy
and agency we have in decision-making.
Values in Decision-Making
•Nozick introduced a theory of
values comprising intrinsic,
instrumental, originative, and
contributory values.
Intrinsic Value
• Intrinsic value refers to the inherent worth of an
alternative independent of its consequences.
• For example, choosing to pursue a passion project solely
because it brings personal fulfillment demonstrates
intrinsic value.
Instrumental Value
• Instrumental value evaluates the outcomes or
consequences of choosing one alternative over another.
• Deciding to study instead of going out with friends
because it leads to better grades illustrates instrumental
value.
Originative Value
• Originative value introduces new values or possibilities
through our choices.
• Actions with originative value can have a significant
impact on ourselves or others, creating new
opportunities or outcomes.
Contributory Value
• Contributory value focuses on the contribution of our
actions to a situation or outcome.
• Even if not original, actions with contributory value can
differentiate outcomes and add value to a situation.
Tracking
Bestness
• Have you ever struggled to choose
between good alternatives or
determine what's right and wrong?
• Tracking Bestness, introduced by
Robert Nozick, explores how
determinism aligns with value.
• Actions are caused but not
necessarily causally determined,
leading to the investigation of
"bestness" in decision-making.
Tracking Bestness Formula
• Nozick's formula for tracking rightness in actions:
• Act A is right.
• Person S intentionally does Act A.
• If Act A were not right, Person S would not intentionally do Act A.
• If Act A were right, Person S would intentionally do Act A.
Invetigating Bestness
• Nozick's concept of tracking "bestness" in decision-making.
• Free choices must align with what's best or right, even without
originative value.
• Actions are valuable when they intentionally track what's best or right,
contrary to determinism's notion of no control over actions.
Deliberate Choices
• Deliberate choices are marked by intentional actions that track
rightness.
• Intentionality in decision-making indicates freedom and indeterminacy
in choices.
• Choices are deliberate and not solely causally determined.
Determining Rightness
• How do we know what's right in decision-making?
• Rightness is often attributed to moral beliefs, but these can vary and be
debatable.
• Nozick suggests considering the desire to do what's right as an
important factor in decision-making.
Desire To Do What’s Right
• Desire to do what's right complements belief in what's right.
• Human actions are often guided by desires that align with what's
considered right or best.
• Desire to do what's right is a natural inclination that influences
decision-making.
In any moment of decision, the
best thing you can do is the right
thing, the next best thing is the
wrong thing, and the worst thing
you can do is nothing.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Can you recall a specific moment in your
life when making a difficult choice led to
personal growth or a deeper understanding
of your values and priorities? How did that
experience shape your perspective on the
value of choices in relation to freedom?