[prettyLady1987]

Explain the nature, reasons in favor and reasons against, as well as critically evaluate these reasons, for each of the following positions in the free-will/determinism debate: Hard Determinism, Compatibalism (aka Soft Determinism), and Libertarianism.

[Fr_Chuck]

Very great question, a little deep general answer question, and books have been written on these ideas.

It really sounds like some school work study, which we should not be doing your work for you, ( part of the free will of responsiblity)

If this is not school work, perhaps you can break this down into a less complete discussion area and question specific areas where all can join in,

If this is school work, perhaps reading the book or chapters this was designed for would be a great idea.

[Starman]

I agree with Fr Chuck.
I would also remind you that the research itself is a very valuable learning experience which you would lose out on if someone else did it for you. In fact, the research activity is very often more important than the material that's being researched. So evading it is cutting yourself short educationally speaking. It can also perpetuate the inability to research and lead to further difficulties.

I suggest you try going to Wikipedia and giving its search engine the categories you listed. Then gather all the info you need since without it nothing can be done. Don't let the amount of available info frustrate you. Just concentrate on placing the relevant into its categories. Once you have all the info you need all you have to do is put it in essay format--and viola! You are done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determinism

[VSPrasad]

The law of cause and effect is known in philosophical
Texts also. There is a very specific law in science.
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction". If you write it in English, it becomes
Newton's Law. If you write it in Sanskrit, it becomes
Law of Karma.

karma - Search.com

Causa est omnibus in Latin means 'there is a reason for everything.
Similar meaning is given by the phrases "as you sow
so shall you reap", "what goes around comes around",
And "sow the wind; reap the whirlwind".

Re: Reap the whirlwind

Leucippus, the founder of the atomic theory, declared in his only
Surviving statement, "Nothing occurs at random, but everything happens
for a reason and by necessity". It is known as Leucippus' principle of
Causality.

Democritus: Biography and Much More from Answers.com

"Everything happens for a reason. Every action has a reaction. Always
remember that whats meant to be will always find a way to come about."

Karma What Is It

Similar meaning is given by the phrases "as you sow
so shall you reap", "what goes around comes around",
And "sow the wind; reap the whirlwind".

Re: Reap the whirlwind

Everything Happens for a Reason

However, Karma is not determinism. The very wording
"for every action" says that we have free-will for action.
Karma only warns about the inevitable reaction.