IV— Free Will: From Nature To Illusion

Author: Smilansky S.

Source: Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Volume 101, Number 1, September 2000 , pp. 71-95(25)

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Abstract:

Sir Peter Strawson's lsquo;Freedom and Resentment’ was a landmark in the philosophical understanding of the free will problem. Building upon it, I attempt to defend a novel position, which purports to provide, in outline, the next step forward. The position presented is based on the descriptively central and normatively crucial role of illusion in the issue of free will. Illusion, I claim, is the vital but neglected key to the free will problem. The proposed position, which may be called `Illusionism', is shown to follow both from the strengths and from the weaknesses of Strawson's position.

We have to believe in free will to get along.

C.P. Snow

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2000-09-01