Free Will
Published on 16. April 2013
200 pages
978-0-7456-7288-5 (ISBN)
Description
What is free will? Why is it important? Can the same act be both free and determined? Is free will necessary for moral responsibility? Does anyone have free will, and if not, how is creativity possible and how can anyone be praised or blamed for anything?
These are just some of the questions considered by Joseph Keim Campbell in this lively and accessible introduction to the concept of free will. Using a range of engaging examples the book introduces the problems, arguments, and theories surrounding free will. Beginning with a discussion of fatalism and causal determinism, the book goes on to focus on the metaphysics of moral responsibility, free will skepticism, and skepticism about moral responsibility. Campbell shows that no matter how we look at it, free will is problematic. Thankfully there are a plethora of solutions on offer and the best of these are considered in full in the final chapter on contemporary theories of free will. This includes a rigorous account of libertarianism, compatabilism, and naturalism.
Free Will is the ideal introduction to the topic and will be a valuable resource for scholars and students seeking to understand the importance and relevance of the concept for contemporary philosophy.
These are just some of the questions considered by Joseph Keim Campbell in this lively and accessible introduction to the concept of free will. Using a range of engaging examples the book introduces the problems, arguments, and theories surrounding free will. Beginning with a discussion of fatalism and causal determinism, the book goes on to focus on the metaphysics of moral responsibility, free will skepticism, and skepticism about moral responsibility. Campbell shows that no matter how we look at it, free will is problematic. Thankfully there are a plethora of solutions on offer and the best of these are considered in full in the final chapter on contemporary theories of free will. This includes a rigorous account of libertarianism, compatabilism, and naturalism.
Free Will is the ideal introduction to the topic and will be a valuable resource for scholars and students seeking to understand the importance and relevance of the concept for contemporary philosophy.
More details
Other editions
Person
Joseph KeimCampbell is Assitant Professor of Philosophy at Washington StateUniversity
Content
Acknowledgments vii
1 Free Will 1
1.1 Why Care about Free Will? 2
1.2 Free Will and Fatalism 4
1.3 Time and Truth 7
1.4 Foreknowledge 13
1.5 Determinism 19
2 Moral Responsibility 27
2.1 Moral Responsibility 28
2.2 Freedom and Epistemic Conditions 29
2.3 Other Necessary Conditions 33
2.4 The "Free Will" Crisis 39
2.5 Moral Responsibility without Free Will 41
3 The Problem of Free Will 43
3.1 The First Argument 44
3.2 The Third Argument 48
3.3 The Mind Argument 51
3.4 Free Will Skepticism 54
4 Moral Responsibility: Incompatibilism and Skepticism 58
4.1 The Direct Argument 59
4.2 The Manipulation Argument 66
4.3 The Ultimacy Argument 69
5 Free Will Theories 73
5.1 Libertarianism 73
5.2 Free Will Skepticism 83
5.3 Compatibilism 86
5.4 Alternative Views 95
5.5 Final Thoughts 104
Notes 106
References 109
Index 122
1 Free Will 1
1.1 Why Care about Free Will? 2
1.2 Free Will and Fatalism 4
1.3 Time and Truth 7
1.4 Foreknowledge 13
1.5 Determinism 19
2 Moral Responsibility 27
2.1 Moral Responsibility 28
2.2 Freedom and Epistemic Conditions 29
2.3 Other Necessary Conditions 33
2.4 The "Free Will" Crisis 39
2.5 Moral Responsibility without Free Will 41
3 The Problem of Free Will 43
3.1 The First Argument 44
3.2 The Third Argument 48
3.3 The Mind Argument 51
3.4 Free Will Skepticism 54
4 Moral Responsibility: Incompatibilism and Skepticism 58
4.1 The Direct Argument 59
4.2 The Manipulation Argument 66
4.3 The Ultimacy Argument 69
5 Free Will Theories 73
5.1 Libertarianism 73
5.2 Free Will Skepticism 83
5.3 Compatibilism 86
5.4 Alternative Views 95
5.5 Final Thoughts 104
Notes 106
References 109
Index 122
