Tim Bayne - Big Questions in Free Will

Updated: November 19, 2024

Closer To Truth


Summary

The video delves into the concept of Free Will and its ties to ethics and moral responsibility, emphasizing the clash between the Manifest and Scientific images of human agency. It explores how external factors like drugs or mental health conditions can compromise our sense of agency and control. The discussion raises questions on reconciling our everyday perception of Free Will as uncaused causes with the deterministic view of science, prompting reflections on reinterpreting either perspective.


Introduction to Free Will

The concept of Free Will is a significant question that is tied to ethics and moral responsibility. The idea is that without Free Will, individuals may not be considered morally responsible in the way society expects. This connection to moral responsibility is crucial in social, political, and legal systems.

Manifest Image vs. Scientific Image

The distinction between the Manifest image and the Scientific image is essential in understanding Free Will. The Manifest image is how we perceive ourselves, our experience of having Free Will, while the Scientific image is the view of human beings from the Natural Sciences. This distinction leads to questions about reconciling these two perspectives.

Agency and Free Will Experience

The discussion explores how we experience agency and Free Will in our actions. It touches on situations where agency feels compromised, such as under the influence of external factors like drugs or mental health conditions. The norm is to experience ourselves as agents with control and freedom over our actions.

Clash Between Manifest and Scientific Image

There is a perceived clash between the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will, stemming from the idea of uncaused causes. Some believe that our self-perception as uncaused causes conflicts with the deterministic view of science. Resolving this clash involves reinterpreting either the Manifest image or the scientific perspective.

Reconciling Manifest and Scientific Views

Efforts to reconcile the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will involve either changing the scientific perspective to allow for Free Will or redefining Free Will to align with deterministic views. The discussion highlights the challenge of reconciling these two perspectives.

Reality vs. Experience of Free Will

The debate centers on whether the sense of being an uncaused cause is inherent in our everyday experience of Free Will. The distinction between the reality of Free Will and our perception of it raises questions about how to reconcile conflicting perspectives and redefine Free Will.


FAQ

Q: What is the connection between Free Will and moral responsibility?

A: The idea is that without Free Will, individuals may not be considered morally responsible in the way society expects.

Q: What is the Manifest image in relation to Free Will?

A: The Manifest image is how we perceive ourselves, our experience of having Free Will.

Q: What is the Scientific image in relation to Free Will?

A: The Scientific image is the view of human beings from the Natural Sciences.

Q: What is the distinction between the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will?

A: The Manifest image is our self-perception of Free Will, while the Scientific image is the view from Natural Sciences.

Q: What is the conflict between the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will?

A: The clash stems from the idea of uncaused causes, where self-perception conflicts with deterministic views of science.

Q: How can the clash between the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will be resolved?

A: Efforts involve either changing the scientific perspective to allow for Free Will or redefining Free Will to align with deterministic views.

Q: What challenges arise in reconciling the Manifest and Scientific images of Free Will?

A: The challenge lies in whether the sense of being an uncaused cause is inherent in our everyday experience of Free Will.

Q: What questions arise when considering the reality of Free Will versus our perception of it?

A: Questions pertain to how to reconcile conflicting perspectives and potentially redefine Free Will.

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