Stace considers a variety of free and unfree acts. On his account, which of the following is NOT a free act?a. Signing a confession because one wanted to tell the truth O b. Stealing because one’s employer threatened to beat you c. Gandhi fasting because he wanted to free India © d. Leaving the office because you want lunch
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Stealing because one’s employer threatened to beat you.
Explanation:
Stace differentiates between “free” and “unfree” acts based on the presence or absence of internal control over one’s actions. A free act, according to Stace, is one where the individual performs the action voluntarily, with control over the decision, and without external coercion or threats. On the other hand, an unfree act is one where an individual performs an action due to external pressure, coercion, or compulsion.
Let’s examine each option:
a. Signing a confession because one wanted to tell the truth: This act is free because the individual signs the confession voluntarily with the intention of telling the truth. The choice to sign the confession is motivated by the person’s desire to be truthful, not external coercion.
b. Stealing because one’s employer threatened to beat you: This is an unfree act because the individual is being coerced into stealing by the threat of violence. The decision to steal is driven by fear and external pressure, not by the individual’s voluntary choice.
c. Gandhi fasting because he wanted to free India: Gandhi’s fasting is a free act because it is a voluntary action driven by his personal beliefs and desire for political change. He chose this form of protest to achieve his goal of freeing India, without external coercion.
d. Leaving the office because you want lunch: This is a free act because the individual is acting on their own desire to satisfy their hunger. The decision to leave the office is based on internal motivation, not external force or compulsion.
In summary, the act of stealing due to a threat of violence is not free because it involves external coercion that forces the individual to act against their own volition, making it an unfree act according to Stace’s framework.
