The Critical Role and Impact of Axiology in Understanding the Interaction Between Consciousness and Culture

Abstract

Free will and moral responsibility are complex concepts with diverse philosophical and cultural interpretations. Our study seeks to expound on the aspects of free will, moral responsibility and compatibilism based on consciousness and culture. Our main objective is to examine the relationship between free will and moral responsibility, and also, compare externalist compatibilism and internalism compatibilism. We adopted textual analysis as the basis of our methods for data collection by focusing on the philosophical works of Harry Frankfurt, Gary Watson, P.F. Strawson, A.J. Ayer, F.H. Bradley, John Stuart Mill, David Hume, Thomas Hobbes, Aristotle, and John Fischer. In addition to our textual analysis, we examined cultural artifacts from various Chinese contexts to gain firsthand insights into how values shape consciousness and cultural expression. Our findings showed that philosophers present diverse stances on free will, influenced by social context, individual desires, and higher-order preferences. Cultural expressions showcased the influence of values on free will and responsibility with traditional Chinese art emphasizing harmony and collective responsibility while modern art prioritizing individual expression, and regional folk dances highlighting community values. Cultural values such as harmony with nature foster interconnectedness and peace, while individualism promoted self-awareness, and collectivism shaped consciousness towards fulfilling societal roles.