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Author: Bernard Berofsky
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2012-01-05
Total Pages: 289
ISBN-13: 0199640017
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis book offers a defense of humean compatibilism, which bases the belief in the compatibility of free will and determinism on David Hume's idea that laws do not uphold the existence of necessary connections in nature.
Author: John Martin Fischer
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2005
Total Pages: 424
ISBN-13: 9780415327275
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAuthor: Christian List
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2019-05-06
Total Pages: 225
ISBN-13: 0674239814
DOWNLOAD EBOOKA crystal-clear, scientifically rigorous argument for the existence of free will, challenging what many scientists and scientifically minded philosophers believe. Philosophers have argued about the nature and the very existence of free will for centuries. Today, many scientists and scientifically minded commentators are skeptical that it exists, especially when it is understood to require the ability to choose between alternative possibilities. If the laws of physics govern everything that happens, they argue, then how can our choices be free? Believers in free will must be misled by habit, sentiment, or religious doctrine. Why Free Will Is Real defies scientific orthodoxy and presents a bold new defense of free will in the same naturalistic terms that are usually deployed against it. Unlike those who defend free will by giving up the idea that it requires alternative possibilities to choose from, Christian List retains this idea as central, resisting the tendency to defend free will by watering it down. He concedes that free will and its prerequisites—intentional agency, alternative possibilities, and causal control over our actions—cannot be found among the fundamental physical features of the natural world. But, he argues, that’s not where we should be looking. Free will is a “higher-level” phenomenon found at the level of psychology. It is like other phenomena that emerge from physical processes but are autonomous from them and not best understood in fundamental physical terms—like an ecosystem or the economy. When we discover it in its proper context, acknowledging that free will is real is not just scientifically respectable; it is indispensable for explaining our world.
Author: Filip Grgić
Publisher: Springer
Published: 2018-11-14
Total Pages: 162
ISBN-13: 3319992953
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis book consists of eleven new essays that provide new insights into classical and contemporary issues surrounding free will and human agency. They investigate topics such as the nature of practical knowledge and its role in intentional action; mental content and explanations of action; recent arguments for libertarianism; the situationist challenge to free will; freedom and a theory of narrative configuration; the moral responsibility of the psychopath; and free will and the indeterminism of quantum mechanics. Also tackling some historical precursors of contemporary debates, taken together these essays demonstrate the need for an approach that recognizes the multifaceted nature of free will. This book provides essential reading for anyone interested in the current scholarship on free will.
Author: Andrea Febrian
Publisher: Andrea Febrian
Published: 2024-07-05
Total Pages: 57
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK"Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating exploration of one of the most enduring and perplexing philosophical questions of all time: do we have free will, or are our lives predetermined by fate? This book delves deep into the heart of this age-old debate, examining the complex interplay between choice, consequence, and the human experience. Drawing upon a rich tapestry of philosophical perspectives, from the ancient wisdom of Aristotle and the Stoics to the groundbreaking insights of contemporary thinkers like Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the free will problem. Along the way, readers will encounter a wide range of fascinating topics and ideas, including: The nature of causality and determinism The relationship between free will and moral responsibility The implications of neuroscience and psychology for our understanding of agency and choice The role of chance, randomness, and uncertainty in shaping our lives The existential significance of free will for our sense of meaning, purpose, and identity Through a careful and nuanced examination of these key themes and questions, "Questions for Humans" invites readers to grapple with the profound implications of the free will debate for our understanding of ourselves, our place in the world, and the fabric of reality itself. But this book is more than just an academic exploration of abstract philosophical concepts. It is also a deeply personal and introspective journey that challenges readers to confront their own beliefs, assumptions, and experiences surrounding free will and determinism. With its engaging and accessible writing style, thought-provoking examples, and practical exercises and reflections, "Questions for Humans" is a book that not only informs and educates but also transforms and inspires. Whether you are a seasoned philosopher, a curious layperson, or simply someone who has ever wondered about the nature of choice and consequence, this book offers a timely and essential guide to one of the most important and enduring questions of human existence. Some of the key benefits and takeaways that readers can expect from this book include: A deeper understanding of the historical and conceptual foundations of the free will debate A clearer sense of the major arguments and positions on both sides of the issue A more nuanced and sophisticated appreciation for the complexity and significance of the question of free will Practical insights and tools for navigating the challenges and opportunities of living in a world where the nature of choice and agency is uncertain A renewed sense of wonder, curiosity, and humility in the face of the grand mysteries of human existence Ultimately, "Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is more than just a book about philosophy; it is a book about what it means to be human. By grappling with the profound implications of free will and determinism, readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the richness, complexity, and sheer mystery of the human experience. So if you are ready to embark on a fascinating and transformative journey into the heart of one of the most enduring and important questions of human existence, then "Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is the book for you. With its engaging and accessible style, thought-provoking insights, and practical wisdom, this book is sure to leave a lasting impact on your understanding of yourself, your place in the world, and the very nature of reality itself.
Author: Lee MacLean
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Published: 2013-10-28
Total Pages: 249
ISBN-13: 1442664266
DOWNLOAD EBOOKFree will is a key but contested concept in the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau: while the famed philosopher is known to have asserted that free will distinguishes human beings from animals, several interpreters have argued that he merely pretends to have this belief for the sake of healthy politics and to avoid persecution by religious authorities. Through careful readings of key texts and letters, The Free Animal offers a new and original exploration of Rousseau’s views on free will. Lee MacLean shows that Rousseau needs and uses the idea of human consciousness of free will to explain the development of morality, convention, and vice. MacLean bases her argument on a broad range of texts, from canonical works to Rousseau’s untranslated letters and drafts. Featuring careful analyses and an extensive engagement with the secondary literature, The Free Animal offers a novel interpretation of the changing nature and complexity of Rousseau’s intention.
Author: Alfred R. Mele
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2014-09-02
Total Pages: 113
ISBN-13: 0199371636
DOWNLOAD EBOOKDoes free will exist? The question has fueled heated debates spanning from philosophy to psychology and religion. The answer has major implications, and the stakes are high. To put it in the simple terms that have come to dominate these debates, if we are free to make our own decisions, we are accountable for what we do, and if we aren't free, we're off the hook. There are neuroscientists who claim that our decisions are made unconsciously and are therefore outside of our control and social psychologists who argue that myriad imperceptible factors influence even our minor decisions to the extent that there is no room for free will. According to philosopher Alfred R. Mele, what they point to as hard and fast evidence that free will cannot exist actually leaves much room for doubt. If we look more closely at the major experiments that free will deniers cite, we can see large gaps where the light of possibility shines through. In Free: Why Science Hasn't Disproved Free Will, Mele lays out his opponents' experiments simply and clearly, and proceeds to debunk their supposed findings, one by one, explaining how the experiments don't provide the solid evidence for which they have been touted. There is powerful evidence that conscious decisions play an important role in our lives, and knowledge about situational influences can allow people to respond to those influences rationally rather than with blind obedience. Mele also explores the meaning and ramifications of free will. What, exactly, does it mean to have free will -- is it a state of our soul, or an undefinable openness to alternative decisions? Is it something natural and practical that is closely tied to moral responsibility? Since evidence suggests that denying the existence of free will actually encourages bad behavior, we have a duty to give it a fair chance.
Author: Roy Baumeister
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2010-07-09
Total Pages: 240
ISBN-13: 0190452870
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis volume is aimed at readers who wish to move beyond debates about the existence of free will and the efficacy of consciousness and closer to appreciating how free will and consciousness might operate. It draws from philosophy and psychology, the two fields that have grappled most fundamentally with these issues. In this wide-ranging volume, the contributors explore such issues as how free will is connected to rational choice, planning, and self-control; roles for consciousness in decision making; the nature and power of conscious deciding; connections among free will, consciousness, and quantum mechanics; why free will and consciousness might have evolved; how consciousness develops in individuals; the experience of free will; effects on behavior of the belief that free will is an illusion; and connections between free will and moral responsibility in lay thinking. Collectively, these state-of-the-art chapters by accomplished psychologists and philosophers provide a glimpse into the future of research on free will and consciousness.
Author: Saul Smilansky
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Published: 2000-03-30
Total Pages: 346
ISBN-13: 019158813X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKSaul Smilansky presents an original treatment of the problem of free will, which lies at the heart of morality and human self-understanding. He maintains that we have most of the resources we need for a proper understanding of the problem; and the key to it is the role played by illusion. The major traditional philosophical approaches are inadequate, Smilansky argues: their partial insights need to be integrated into a hybrid view, which he calls Fundamental Dualism. Common views about justice, responsibility, human worth, and related notions are radically misguided, and the absurd looms large. We do, however, find some justification for enlightened moral views, and grounding for some of our most cherished views of human nature. The bold and perhaps disturbing claim of Free Will and Illusion is that we could not live adequately with a complete awareness of the truth about human freedom: illusion lies at the centre of the human condition. The necessity of illusion is seen to follow from the basic elements of the free will issue, helping keep our moral and psychological worlds intact. Smilansky offers the challenge of recognizing the centrality of illusion and trying to free ourselves to some extent from it; this is not only a philosophical challenge, but a moral and psychological one as well.
Author: Laura Davidson
Publisher:
Published: 2023-03-06
Total Pages: 0
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWhat does it mean to be truly free? In this bold and ground-breaking exploration of human freedom, philosopher Laura Davidson challenges us to contemplate the true nature of liberty. In doing so, she leads us to question many things we may think we know about the human condition and the world around us. Genuine freedom starts with an understanding we have freedom of the will. And yet many present-day scientists and philosophers argue that free will is merely an illusion. Their claim is that the activity of the brain is a purely physical process, analogous to the operation of a computer. But this implies we are mere automatons and cannot be held morally responsible for what we do. Moreover, if human thought and action is strictly deterministic, then this seriously challenges the notion of a genuinely free society by legitimizing the initiation of force and threat of force, particularly by those in positions of power. This book strongly disagrees with determinism and tackles it head-on. Drawing from studies in consciousness and the philosophy of mind, Davidson presents a logical argument to demonstrate why the human will is inherently free. While acknowledging that our choices are clearly influenced by certain biological instincts, many of which we have inherited from our evolutionary past, she employs fresh insights to show why we alone are the final arbiters of how we act. Unlike animals, which possess a lower form of consciousness, our decisions are not made for us. Her innovative and original ideas are a breakthrough in the discourse on free will, bringing a new perspective to the age-old question of whether or not human beings have real agency. However, while most people employ their will to cooperate with others, some individuals choose to dominate with force in order to attain power and, under certain conditions, are able to manipulate the masses in a way that leads to tyranny. A crucial aspect of Davidson's argument is that political control of any kind, including all forms of force and coercion, is inconsistent with our humanity as free and rational beings and with life itself. She demonstrates why a genuinely free society is mankind's natural destiny and argues that it can ultimately be achieved. Nevertheless, true political freedom of this kind will only occur when the libertarian principle of nonaggression is strictly observed in all areas of life. She reaches startling and thought-provoking conclusions on the relationship between law, personal morality, and society, challenging some of the most basic foundations of modern polity, and ends with addressing perhaps the most important issue of all: the nature of absolute truth, and how an understanding of such truth leads to genuine freedom and happiness. Join Davidson on a journey to unlock the secrets of a truly free world in this ground-breaking and original book. Praise for the book: "With the introduction of this new tour de force of hers, Laura Davidson significantly broadens her horizons and takes accurate aim at issues such as free will, human freedom, the mind-body problem, evolution, cooperation, human action, law, morality, and much, much more. She does so in her usual manner with brilliance, verve, and verstehen. Read this book from cover to cover. You will be inspired." --- Walter E. Block, Harold E. Wirth Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics at Loyola University, New Orleans. "Laura Davidson is one of the best libertarian philosophers writing today, and her new book The Logic of Freedom is full of challenging arguments from many different fields. I highly recommend it." --- David Gordon, Senior Fellow, Ludwig von Mises Institute.
