How Free are You?: The Determinism ProblemA concise introduction to one of the central questions of philosophy for students and general readers, this book asks the question, "Are we subject to determinism or do we possess Free Will and thus responsibility for our actions?" The first six chapters of the book deal with the rival claims of the two theories, and investigate whether either of them is clear, consistent, complete, and demonstrably true. The inquiry in itself amounts to a complete philosophy of mind. The last four chapters deal with the implications of determinism and its significance in our public and private actions. Honderich examines the doctrines of compatibilism, which argues that we are subject to causation but are nevertheless free, and incompatibilism, which sees determinism and freedom as mutually exclusive. This debate has been one of philosophy's main battlegrounds for centuries, with thinkers as distinguished as Hume and Kant in opposite camps. |
Contents
Introduction to Two Suspect Theories | 1 |
Real and Other Effects | 6 |
The MindBrain Connection | 19 |
Copyright | |
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abstract objects active intention answer argument attitudes belief Bognor Regis brain called causal circumstance causal sequence certainly clear Compatibilism and Incompatibilism consequences of determinism considering David Hume desires determinism is true determinist dismay effect enquiry Epiphenomenalism explanation fact flipping free choice freedom fruit machine happen hope idea image of origination inconsistent intransigence involves Juliet kind of life-hope Korean wine matter mental and neural mental events micro-level mind and action minism moral disapproval moral responsibility movements nature near-determinism necessitated event neurons neuroscience Newcomb's Paradox nomic connection objection offender ordinary ourselves owed Oxford particular personal feelings philosophers philosophy of mind possible problem properties proposition psychoneural intimacy psychoneural pairs Quantum Theory question reason retribution theory second box seems sense simultaneous neural event somehow someone story supposed take both boxes theory of determinism thing thought tion truth Union Theory upshot