Free will, neuroethics, psychology and theology / Geran F. Dodson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dodson, Geran F., author.

Series:

Vernon series in philosophy.

Vernon Series in Philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Free will and determinism.

Free will and determinism--Religious aspects.

Free will and determinism--Psychological aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (309 pages).

Place of Publication:

Wilmington, Delaware ; Málaga, Spain : Vernon Press, 2017.

Summary:

The topic of human free will has received more attention in the past several years due to the important discoveries of neuroscience but no consensus of opinion is evident in related disciplines. The traditional approach to understanding free will in philosophy employs conceptual analysis to determine whether humans have freedom of choice. Theology affirms that every person has free choice although God is somehow behind all human decisions. Evolutionary psychology points to human behavior as the product of biological processes and antecedent events. And neuroethics attempts to define what it means to be a thinking moral agent by investigating how neurons in the brain and chemical interactions combine to produce conscious actions. An assessment and evaluation of these various positions is given in light of the evidence. The issue of whether a person can be held morally responsible for their actions hinges on whether those actions originate from free will or are the result of determinism. Theology makes assumptions of the existence of an absolute deity that has a hand in human decision making, but there is no agreement regarding the nature of that intervention. Recent scientific discoveries confront traditionally held religious beliefs and necessitate the creation of a new theology and articles of faith.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781622733033

1622733037

OCLC:

1003312024