PHI 183 - Exp: Free Will & Determinism

Institution:

University of New England

Subject:

Philosophy

Description:

The problem of free will is one fo the oldest in philosophy. Fundamentally, the issue is generated by two very different pictures of what it is to be a person. On the one hand, we view persons as agents who are responsible for freely chosen actions. On the other hand, we view persons as physical systems subject to deterministic natural laws. Historically, some philosophers have denied that human beings are free in any meaningful sense, others have argued that human beings are immune from casual determinism, while a third group argue that the human beings are both determined and free. In this course, we will explore these contending positions through the work of philosphers like David Hume, Arthur Schophenhaur, Daniel Dennett, Robert Kane, and Harry Frankfurt. In addition, we will consider ideas on the nature of causation, the mind-body problem and the nature of events. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.une.edu/

Phone Number:

(207) 283-0171

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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