(in Polish) The many faces of compatibilism

elective seminars

(in Polish) dobra znajomość języka angielskiego

The seminar discusses three major types of compatibilism, that is, physical (nomological), logical, and theological. According to physical compatibilism, free will and moral responsibility are compatible with physical determinism. Logical compatibilists claim that there is no contradiction between human freedom and the fact that all true propositions about our acts have always been true, i.e., they were true even before we were born. Within the framework of theological compatibilism, we are able to do otherwise even if there exists essentially omniscient God. Various arguments for and against the indicated versions of compatibilism are examined, and the interconnections between all three debates are pondered. In particular, selected aspects of P. van Inwagen’s arguments for incompatibilism, D. Lewis’s local miracle compatibilism, and J.M. Fischer’s views are subject to scrutiny. The seminar will be accompanied by an international conference and workshop.

The seminar discusses three major types of compatibilism, that is, physical (nomological), logical, and theological. According to physical compatibilism, free will and moral responsibility are compatible with physical determinism. Logical compatibilists claim that there is no contradiction between human freedom and the fact that all true propositions about our acts have always been true, i.e., they were true even before we were born. Within the framework of theological compatibilism, we are able to do otherwise even if there exists essentially omniscient God. Various arguments for and against the indicated versions of compatibilism are examined, and the interconnections between all three debates are pondered. In particular, selected aspects of P. van Inwagen’s arguments for incompatibilism, D. Lewis’s local miracle compatibilism, and J.M. Fischer’s views are subject to scrutiny. The seminar will be accompanied by an international conference and workshop.

Craig, W.L. “The Only Wise God. The Compatibility of Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom.” Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.

Dennett, D.C. (2015). “Elbow Room”. Cambridge, Mass.-London: A Bradford Book, The MIT Press.

– (2004). “Freedom Evolves”. London: Penguin Books.

Earman J. (1986). “A Primer on Determinism”. Dordrecht: D. Reidel Publishing Company.

Fischer, J.M. (2016). “Our Fate. Essays on God and Free Will.” Oxford: Oxford University Press.

− (1994). “The Metaphysics of Free Will”. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

– ed. (1989). “God, Foreknowledge, and Freedom”. Stanford, CA.: Stanford University Press.

Fischer, J.M. & Todd, P. (eds.) (2015). “Freedom, Fatalism, and Foreknowledge.” Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Horwich, P. (1987). “Asymmetries in Time. Problems in the Philosophy of Science”. Cambridge, Mass.-London: The MIT Press.

Kane, R. (1996). “The Significance of Free Will”. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

– ed. (2002). “The Oxford Handbook of Free Will”. Oxford-New York: Oxford University Press.

Leibniz, G.W. (2009). “Theodicy”. New York: Cosimo.

Lewis, D. (1981). Are we free to break the laws? “Theoria”, 47, 113-121.

− (1979). Counterfactual dependence and time’s arrow, “Noûs”, 13, 455-476.

Łukasiewicz, Jan (1970). “On Determinism”, in “Selected Works” (Amsterdam-London: North-Holland Publishing Company, Warszawa: PWN), 110-128.

Strawson, P. (2008). “Freedom and Resentment and Other Essays”. London-New York: Routledge.

van Inwagen, P. (1983). “An Essay on Free Will”. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

– (2017). “Thinking about Free Will”. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Students have a comprehensive and organized knowledge of:

– historical and contemporary theories and arguments advanced in philosophical discussions about compatibilism

– the definitions of the theses of physical determinism, logical determinism, physical compatibilism, logical compatibilism, the principle of universal causation, and the doctrine of fatalism

– the problem concerning the reality of the future and the block universe theory

– the analysis of modal expressions in terms of possible worlds

– the methodology of academic research in the humanities

– fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization from the perspective of the humanities

Students:

– seek, analyze, evaluate, select, and use information from traditional and electronic sources

– read and interpret papers discussing various versions of compatibilism

– understand oral presentations of philosophical ideas and arguments advanced in philosophical disputes over different types of compatibilism

– correctly use newly acquired terminology

– analyze philosophical arguments for and against the compatibility of God’s foreknowledge, physical determinism, and the eternity of truth with human freedom, identify their crucial assumptions and theses

– uncover relations between different philosophical claims and theories

– select argumentative strategies, formulate critical arguments, reply to criticism

– use knowledge from various branches of the humanities to creatively identify, formulate, and innovatively solve complex problems; in particular, the students are able to formulate research hypotheses and draw conclusions on the basis of philosophical research results

– critically analyze and evaluate philosophical research results and other creative works, together with their contribution to the development of knowledge

– participate in the academic discourse in the humanities

– are able to initiate a debate

Students:

– know the scope of their knowledge and skills, acknowledge the need for constant education and professional development

– are ready to critically evaluate their own contribution to the development of philosophy

– are open to new ideas and ready to change their minds in light of available data and arguments, respect individuals who disagree with them

– organize their work effectively and critically assess its progress

– recognize the priority of knowledge in solving research, cognitive, and practical problems in the humanities

In order to get a 3.0 the student must write a report on a paper selected by the lecturer. Doctoral students must deliver a presentation and actively participate in seminar discussions. Getting 4.0 requires writing a report and delivering a presentation of one of the seminar readings. Receiving a 5.0 requires delivering a presentation and writing a paper on a topic closely connected with the main themes of the seminar.

Number of abscences: 4