Exploring Free Will with Frankfurt, Dennett, Pereboom, and Nagel
Details
Do we actually have free will? Or is it an illusion?
In this session, we’ll explore four of the most influential and accessible papers in the modern free will debate.
We’ll read and discuss:
- Harry Frankfurt — Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility
- Daniel Dennett — On Giving Libertarians What They Say They Want
- Derk Pereboom — Determinism al Dente
- Thomas Nagel — Moral Luck
Together, these readings challenge some of our deepest assumptions:
- Do we need the ability to “do otherwise” to be free?
- Would indeterminism actually give us the control we’re looking for?
- Are we truly responsible for who we are and what we do?
- Is “luck” more central to our lives than we’d like to admit?
Readings for this Meetup
Four papers approx. 60 pages total. PDFs can be found online through JSTOR, PhilPapers, Academia.edu, and through the library.
- Harry Frankfurt — Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility
- Daniel Dennett — On Giving Libertarians What They Say They Want
- Derk Pereboom — Determinism al Dente
- Thomas Nagel — Moral Luck
If you can't find the articles please let me know.
Rules for Our Group
1. Be Courteous
Respectful disagreement is totally acceptable; Condescension is not.
2. Be Concise
Keep comments brief, on topic, and allow space for others to join in.
3. Do the Reading
If you have not done the reading for the week you are welcome to attend and listen to the discussion, but out of respect for those who have read, you will not be permitted to participate in the discussion.
Finally, Please update your RSVP if you are no longer able to attend the event.
- inaccurate RSVPs make it difficult for coordinators to plan successful events
- inaccurate RSVPs prevent waitlisted individuals from attending
*Multiple no shows may result in losing RSVP privileges for future events.
For more info and FAQ on the group click here.
Looking forward to the discussion.
- Brent
