The relationship between free will and causal determinism in the views of analytic philosophers
Journal Title: جستارهایی در فلسفه و کلام - Year 2016, Vol 48, Issue 96
Abstract
Are free will and causal determinism compatible with each other? This is one of the most important questions central to discussions relating to free will. The problem is that causal determinism makes us encounter challenging dilemmas, either way leading us to deny free will: (1) causal determinism is either true or not true; (2) if causal determinism is true, we do not have free will; since all of our actions (including free will), in that case, will be the inevitable results of their former causes; (3) if causal determinism is not true, we do not have free will; since all of the events will be accidental and thus cannot be attributed to a performer; (4) hence, we do not have free will. In response to these two extremes, one should either show that either one of the statements (2) or (3) is false, or instead deny free will. Looking back at the issues discussed by contemporary analytic philosophers on this question, the present paper aims to categorize and briefly introduce those views. And finally, the attitudes and views of Western philosophers are compared with those of Islamic thinkers, and the differences and similarities between them are examined
Authors and Affiliations
Jafar Morvarid, Ruhollah Movahedi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP204725
- DOI 10.22067/philosophy.v48i1.45411
- Views 76
- Downloads 0
A cosmological and epistemological rereading of the Ideal theory
The Ideal theory is Plato’s most important philosophical view involving his Allegory of the Cave. He tried much to explain this theory and present arguments in order to prove it. However, his views on the proof arguments...
Contingency Proof in the West
Contingency Proof is one of the oldest proofs of the existence of God, which enjoys numerous theological and philosophical expositions. What is examined in this article is the conventional form of this proof in the West,...
The necessity for the existence of the perfect man in the universe from the perspective of theoretical mysticism based on the ideas of Imam Khomeini
Every one of the scholars in theology, philosophy and mysticism has their own methodologies for explaining and proving the necessity for the existence of the perfect man. Theologians have applied the ‘Rule of Grace’ in t...
Recognition of the Border between Delegation and Unconditional Guardianship
Belief in the lofty positions and excellences of the Shi’īte Imams (A.S.) and having faith in their miraculous acts and dominion over the world affairs underlies the authentic doctrine of unconditional guardianship (wilā...
A investigation into the meaning of the monotheism word
Muslim scholars differ widely on the meaning of the pure word ‘Lā Illāha Illa Allāh’ (There is no god expect for God) and its indication to monotheism. A number of possibilities have been raised pertaining to this exalte...