Final answer:
The central issue with accepting libertarianism in the free will debate is the problem of claiming free will in a deterministic universe and the possibility that undetermined choices could merely be random rather than truly free. The most desired answer of choice will be How can we be free if our beliefs and desires are determined?
Step-by-step explanation:
The Central Problems with Accepting Libertarianism
The central problems with accepting libertarianism in the context of the free will debate concern the challenges of reconciling our intuitive sense of freedom with the deterministic nature of the universe. Libertarianism posits that humans have metaphysical freedom, meaning that our actions are not caused by external forces or predetermined events. This comes into conflict with determinism, which argues that all events, including human actions, are determined by antecedent conditions and the laws of nature.
- Hard Determinism takes the stance that since everything is determined, we have no free will and thus no moral responsibility.
- Libertarianism counters that, as we experience freedom and are morally responsible, determinism must be incorrect.
- Compatibilism (or Soft Determinism) finds a middle ground, claiming that moral responsibility can coexist with determinism as long as choices are made without internal constraints.
One of the main challenges of libertarianism is the apparent paradox of asserting free will in a deterministic universe, and whether or not 'free' choices are just random occurrences if they are not determined.