Author: O'Connor, Timothy

Source: Metaphilosophy, Volume 36, Number 4, July 2005 , pp. 436-448(13)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

:

Daniel Dennett's Freedom Evolves is a rhetorically powerful but philosophically unconvincing attempt to show that a deterministic and ontologically reductionist, but epistemologically pluralist, outlook may peacefully coexist with a robust acceptance of human freedom and moral responsibility. The key to understanding the harmony rests in recognizing that freedom is not a metaphysical or physical condition but is instead a product of deeply embedded social practices. I argue that Dennett's project rests on an unargued and implausible deflationary stance toward basic metaphysics.

Keywords: avoidability; causation; compatibilism; determinism; emergence; explanation; free will; Humeanism; naturalism; reductionism

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9973.2005.00382.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy, Sycamore 115, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA , Email: toconnor@indiana.edu

Publication date: 2005-07-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Philosophy
• By this author: O'Connor, Timothy

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers