Rationality, Control, and Freedom

Making Sense of Human Freedom

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Free Will & Determinism
Cover of the book Rationality, Control, and Freedom by Curran F. Douglass, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Curran F. Douglass ISBN: 9781611478389
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Publication: June 3, 2015
Imprint: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Language: English
Author: Curran F. Douglass
ISBN: 9781611478389
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Publication: June 3, 2015
Imprint: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Language: English

The subject of this book is the controversy—one of the oldest in philosophy—about whether it is possible to have freedom in the face of universal causal determinism. Of course, it is crucial to consider what such freedom might mean—in particular, there is an important distinction between libertarian “free will” and the more naturalistic view of freedom taken by compatibilists.

This book provides background for laypersons through a historical survey of earlier views and some discussion and criticism of various contemporary views. In particular, it states and discusses the Consequence Argument, the most important argument challenging human freedom in recent literature. The main feature of the book is the argument for a solution: one that is within the compatibilist tradition, is naturalistic and in accord with findings of science and principles of engineering control theory. Some particular features of the offered solution include an argument for a close tie between freedom and control—where what is meant is the voluntary motion control of our bodies, and this “control” is understood naturalistically, by which the author means in accordance with concepts of engineering control theory and modern science. Such concepts are used to explain and demarcate the concept of “control” being used. Then it develops a working conception of what rationality is (since what is crucial is freedom in choice, and rationality is crucial to that), by reviewing texts on the subject by three expert authors (namely, Nathanson, Nozick, and Searle). It is argued that rationality is a species of biological learning control that involves deliberation; and that our freedom in choice is greatest when our choices are most rational.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The subject of this book is the controversy—one of the oldest in philosophy—about whether it is possible to have freedom in the face of universal causal determinism. Of course, it is crucial to consider what such freedom might mean—in particular, there is an important distinction between libertarian “free will” and the more naturalistic view of freedom taken by compatibilists.

This book provides background for laypersons through a historical survey of earlier views and some discussion and criticism of various contemporary views. In particular, it states and discusses the Consequence Argument, the most important argument challenging human freedom in recent literature. The main feature of the book is the argument for a solution: one that is within the compatibilist tradition, is naturalistic and in accord with findings of science and principles of engineering control theory. Some particular features of the offered solution include an argument for a close tie between freedom and control—where what is meant is the voluntary motion control of our bodies, and this “control” is understood naturalistically, by which the author means in accordance with concepts of engineering control theory and modern science. Such concepts are used to explain and demarcate the concept of “control” being used. Then it develops a working conception of what rationality is (since what is crucial is freedom in choice, and rationality is crucial to that), by reviewing texts on the subject by three expert authors (namely, Nathanson, Nozick, and Searle). It is argued that rationality is a species of biological learning control that involves deliberation; and that our freedom in choice is greatest when our choices are most rational.

More books from Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Cover of the book Italian Women's Autobiographical Writings in the Twentieth Century by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Benjamin Franklin's Intellectual World by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book The Unimagined in the English Renaissance by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Durrell Re-read by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book New England Federalists by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book America’s Two Constitutions by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Ideas Under Fire by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Framing Law and Crime by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Kenya's Independence Constitution by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book The Eudaimonic Turn by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Yeats, Shakespeare, and Irish Cultural Nationalism by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Screening Woolf by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Chicano While Mormon by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book The Making and Unmaking of Mediterranean Landscape in Italian Literature by Curran F. Douglass
Cover of the book Cultures of Violence in the New German Street by Curran F. Douglass
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy