The Philosophy of Free Will: Essential Readings from the Contemporary DebatesPaul Russell, Oisin Deery The problem of free will is one of the great perennial issues of philosophy and has been discussed and debated over many centuries. The issues that arise in this sphere cover both metaphysics and morals and concern matters of central importance not only for philosophy but also for law, theology, psychology and the social sciences. What is at stake here is nothing less than our self-image as responsible moral agents who are in control of our own destiny and fate. The investigations and findings of modern science are judged by many to put skeptical pressure on this self-image and may challenge its credibility. During the past few decades the free will controversy has developed and evolved in exciting and significant ways. All the major parties involved in this debate have had to revise and amend their core positions with a view to responding to the sophisticated and searching arguments put forward by their critics and opponents. The papers collected in this volume represent the most essential and indispensable contributions to the contemporary debate. The specific topics covered include: moral luck, skepticism and naturalism, the consequence argument, alternate possibilities, libertarian metaphysics, compatibilism and reason-responsive theories, illusionism and revisionism, optimism and pessimism, and the phenomenology of agency, as well as contributions relating to neuroscience and experimental philosophy. The collection is arranged in a way that presents the topics covered in a structured and organized manner. The general aim is to provide an effective guide for students and readers who are new to the field, as well as a useful collection for those who are already familiar with the topics and contributions. The contributors include many of the leading and most distinguished figures in the field, along with a number of younger scholars who have already had an impact and produced significant work. |
Contents
1 | |
The Free Will ProblemReal or Illusory? | 29 |
Naturalism Against Scepticism | 61 |
The Consequence Argument | 115 |
Responsibility and Alternative Possibilities | 137 |
Libertarian AlternativesSoft and Hard | 191 |
Compatibilism Hierarchical Theories and Manipulation Problems | 251 |
Compatibilism ReasonBased Alternatives | 279 |
Autonomy and History | 319 |
Skepticism Illusionism and Revisionism | 361 |
Optimism Pessimism and Their Modes | 419 |
The Phenomenology of Agency and Experimental Philosophy | 471 |
A Guide to Further Reading | 533 |
537 | |
541 | |
Other editions - View all
The Philosophy of Free Will: Essential Readings from the Contemporary Debates Paul Russell,Oisin Deery No preview available - 2013 |
The Philosophy of Free Will: Essential Readings from the Contemporary Debates Paul Russell,Oisin Deery No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
ability actually affect agency agent causation agent-causal alternative possibilities argue autonomy basic behaved beliefs Beth blameworthy Cambridge causal determinism causal power causes choice choose claim compatibilism compatibilist concept concerns Conditional Analysis Consequence Argument decision deep-self view determinism is true deterministic dispositions example experience fact Fischer Frankfurt freedom Galen Strawson Ginet hard incompatibilism Harris Harry Frankfurt human illusion indeterminism intuition pumps intuitions involved Inwagen Jones judgments Kane kind libertarian free manipulation Mele metaphysical Mind argument moral luck moral responsibility motives nature notion O’Connor objection one’s otherwise Oxford University Press P. F. Strawson people’s Pereboom perform person Peter van Inwagen phenomenology philosophers plausible principle of alternate Principle of Avoidable problem question rational reactive attitudes reasons reflect relevant resentment result Robert Kane role second-order desires seems sense simply skeptical someone sort Strawson subjects suggest suppose Suzie Instant theory thesis things tion ultimately wants