Free Will and Scientiphicalism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10348268 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter Unger (New York University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1-25 |
| Publication date | 2002-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy and Phenomenological Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0031-8205 • E-ISSN: 1933-1592 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1933-1592.2002.tb00180.x |
| OpenAlex | W2162212710 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
It's been agreed for decades that not only does Determinism pose a big problem for our choosing from available alternatives, but its denial seems to pose a bit of a problem, too. It's argued here that only Determinism, and not its denial, means no real choice for us. But, what explains the appeal of the thought that, where things aren't fully determined, to that extent they're just a matter of chance? It's the dominance of metaphysical suppositions that, together, comprise Scientiphicalism: Wholly composed of such mindless physical parts as electrons, you are a being whose powers are all physical powers, physically deriving from the powers of your parts and their physical arrangements. Scientiphicalism conflicts with your having real choice. Some fairly conservative alternatives to Scientiphicalism may allow for choice. Two are briefly discussed: On the further‐fetched, you are a Cartesian mental being, a nonphysical being in powerful interaction with physical things. On the more conservative approach, you are wholly composed of physical parts, but some of your powers are radically emergent, including your power to choose. Finally, it's argued that, if you choose, you must be, to some extent, exempt from natural laws
Appeal · Denial · Determinism · Dominance (genetics · Epistemology · Free will · Law and economics · Metaphysics · Natural (archaeology · Political science · Psychoanalysis · Sociology · History · Law · Philosophy · Psychology · Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
| Citations per year | 0.2 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2011 - 2017 (7) |
| Highly cited | No |