Free will, causality and the self / Atle Ottesen Søvik.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Søvik, Atle Ottesen, author.

Series:

Philosophische Analyse ; Bd. 71.

Philosophische Analyse = Philosophical analysis, 2198-2066 ; Band 71

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Free will and determinism.

Causation.

Self (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

vii, 183 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; Boston : De Gruyter, [2016]

Summary:

Søvik argues that since there is some indeterminism in the world, agents can be fundamental sources of their actions and thus freer than what compatibilists think without having to appeal to mysterious causation. The theory presupposes a plausible understanding of causation and the self, and shows that in an indetermined world it will sometimes be right to select persons as fundamental causes of their choices. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

1.1 The Problem of Free Will-Main Positions and Problems 1

1.2 The Theory Proposed in this Book 10

1.3 Methodological Reflections 17

2 Causality 21

2.1 Part 1: Jonathan Schaffer's Understanding of Causality 21

2.1.1 To what category do causes and effects belong? 22

2.1.2 How many relata are there in the causal relation? 22

2.1.3 How are causes and effects connected? 23

2.1.4 How are causes selected from other conditions? 28

2.2 Part 2: Evaluation of Schaffer's Understanding of Causality 29

2.2.1 To what category do causes and effects belong? 31

2.2.2 How many relata are there in the causal relation? 33

2.2.3 How are causes and effects connected? 34

2.2.4 How are causes selected from other conditions? 49

3 The Self 56

3.1 Biological Background 59

3.2 Brain and Mind 62

3.3 Emotion 72

3.4 Memory 76

3.5 Consciousness 78

3.6 The Self 81

3.7 The Function of Consciousness 89

3.8 Thinking 95

3.9 Desire 97

4 Free Will 106

4.1 What Is Free Will? 106

4.2 Alternative Possibilities 114

4.3 Determinism 116

4.4 Independence of the Self 121

4.5 Responsibility 126

4.6 Free Will and Responsibility in Various Cases 139

5 Answers to Objections 157

5.1 Main problems for Libertarians 157

5.2 Main Problems for Compatibilists 162

5.3 Other Problems 163

5.4 Conclusion 170.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 173-178) and indexes.

ISBN:

9783110474312

311047431X

OCLC:

935986039