Are we really free?

The terrible case of the 2 young brothers who brutally tortured 2 other boys raises a very serious question regarding free will. The obvious, understandable reaction to cases such as this often along the lines of 'lock them up and throw away the key' or 'torture them and see how they like it'. While one can empathise with this view, especially in the case of the victim's families, the reality may not be that simple.
When we speak of justice or morality we normally require that someone be acting freely if we are to apportion blame. Looking at the background to this tragic case it appears that the 2 attackers have themselves been subject to abuse. Watching extremely violent and pornographic films, drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis, all under the age of 10.
To reject the concept of free will however has serious implications. What right do we have to punish people who do not freely choose their actions? Free Will is also a hugley important concept within Christain Theology, and to reject it would be unacceptable for many.


The American lawyer Clarence Darrow used a determinist arguemt to save 2 teenage murderers from the death penalty in the famous Leopold Loeb case.

So does your upbring determine the person you are?
If so, then how far are you really responsible for your own actions?
Would the attack have occurred had the boys had a more caring upbringing?

Hard Determinists argue that we are not free. Our genetic make up, upbringing and environment mean that we will inevitably make the coices we do.
Libertarians reject determinism, arguing we are free.
Compatiblists accept we are in someways determined but are morally free.
Read more about these ideas here.

The Right to Kill

A mother has been found guilty of killing her son by injecting him with a heroin overdose. Frances Inglis ended her son's life after he was left brain damaged following serious head injuries. Ms Inglis claim she was acting out of love and wished to end her son's suffering. She has been sentenced to 9 years in jail.
There are those, such as the Catholic Church, who view any such killings as totally wrong under all circumstances.
However another of today's news stories shows that there are many who argue that killing should be allowed, under some circumstances.
MSP Margot MacDonald has drawn up a Bill to make it legal for someone to seek help in ending their lives.
Should the law get involved over such matters or should they be seen as personal concerns that can be dealt with without the fear of prosecution?
Where ever you stand on the issue of euthanasia, it is an ethical debate that does not seem to be going away.