Final answer:
Hard determinism suggests that all human behavior is determined by external factors and that free will does not truly exist. This concept relies on causal determinism, the idea that every event has a cause which, if known, can be used to predict any event, including human actions. Manipulating behaviors through inducements is an example used to illustrate this viewpoint.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to Hard Determinism
Hard determinism is a philosophical standpoint asserting that human behavior and actions are entirely determined by external factors, leaving no room for free will or moral responsibility. This concept relies on the premise of universal determinism, which posits that all events in the universe are the result of previous causes, adhering to the belief that 'everything is the effect of some cause or causes.'
The idea of causal determinism is pivotal to hard determinism, suggesting every event has a cause and, if one were to know all the conditions and natural laws, one could predict any event, including human behavior (predict exactly what a human will do under any set of circumstances). This perspective aligns with the 'thesis of determinism' that 'everything whatever is caused.' It also reflects the notion of the causal closure of the physical world, which states that all entities, including humans, are governed by the immutable natural laws of the universe.
An example to illustrate hard determinism could involve manipulating behavior through inducements. If one knows a person's 'buttons' or conditioned responses, and how to 'push' them, one can theoretically manipulate that person into any desired behavior. For instance, by offering monetary incentives, a person could be made to perform certain actions, thereby supporting the determinist view that given sufficient motive, a human's behavior is predictable and controllable.
Fatalism, often conflated with hard determinism, is another concept that suggests future events are predetermined and unavoidable, based on logical principles like the 'Law of Excluded Middle,' which states that statements about the future are either true or false and thus, the future is fixed.