Do We Have Free Will? A Debate
Do We Have Free Will? A Debate by Robert Kane, published by Routledge in 2022, explores the intricate question of free will through a dialogue between Kane and Carolina Sartorio. This edition spans 214 pages and is presented in English. The authors engage in a structured debate, with Kane advocating for libertarianism—arguing that free will is incompatible with determinism—while Sartorio defends compatibilism, suggesting that free will can coexist with determinism. The book aims to clarify complex concepts for readers new to the topic, addressing issues of blameworthiness, responsibility, and control.
Readers will find a thorough examination of the free will debate, enriched by pedagogical features such as standard form arguments, section summaries, and a glossary. The interaction between the authors includes two rounds of objections and replies, making the discussion dynamic and accessible. This volume not only introduces key philosophical concepts but also showcases contemporary perspectives on free will, ethics, and metaphysics, making it a valuable resource for students and general readers interested in these enduring philosophical questions.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this little but profound volume, Robert Kane and Carolina Sartorio debate a perennial question: Do We Have Free Will?
Kane introduces and defends libertarianism about free will: free will is incompatible with determinism; we are free; we are not determined. Sartorio introduces and defends compatibilism about free will: free will is compatible with determinism; we can be free even while our actions are determined through and through. Simplifying tricky terminology and complicated concepts for readers new to the debate, the authors also cover the latest developments on a controversial topic that gets us entangled in questions about blameworthiness and responsibility, coercion and control, and much more.
Each author first presents their own side, and then they interact through two rounds of objections and replies. Pedagogical features include standard form arguments, section summaries, bolded key terms and principles, a glossary, and annotated reading lists. Short, lively and accessible, the debate showcases diverse and cutting-edge work on free will. As per Saul Smilansky’s foreword, Kane and Sartorio, “present the readers with two things at once: an introduction to the traditional free will problem; and a demonstration of what a great yet very much alive and relevant philosophical problem is like.”
Key Features:
- Covers major concepts, views and arguments about free will in an engaging format
- Accessible style and pedagogical features for students and general readers
- Cutting-edge contributions by preeminent scholars on free will.
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