Tamler Sommers, a philosopher and co-host of the Very Bad Wizards podcast, breaks down significant works by Galen and P.F. Strawson. He delves into the complexities of free will and moral responsibility through a skeptical lens, questioning the foundations of moral accountability. The conversation also highlights the interplay between determinism and moral responsibility, stressing the vital role of human relationships and societal attitudes. Sommers' insights spark thought-provoking discussions about justice and personal accountability.
The podcast emphasizes the critical link between free will and moral responsibility, influencing societal perceptions of blame and ethical actions.
Galen Strawson's skepticism about moral responsibility challenges the validity of assigning blame, highlighting the complexities of character control and accountability.
Deep dives
The Connection Between Free Will and Moral Responsibility
The discussion centers around the relationship between free will and moral responsibility, highlighting that the primary philosophical concern is whether individuals can be held morally accountable for their actions. Many philosophers agree that the notion of free will is often defined in relation to one's ability to be morally responsible, which is crucial in contexts such as punishment and ethics. This connection is significant because it affects how society perceives actions in terms of blame and praise, impacting areas like criminal justice and personal relationships. Understanding this link is essential to grasp the varying positions on moral responsibility debated among philosophers.
Galen Strawson's Skepticism About Moral Responsibility
Galen Strawson presents a skeptical view on moral responsibility, arguing that true moral accountability is unattainable regardless of determinism's truth. His basic argument suggests that one must be responsible for their character to be accountable for their actions, but he believes individuals cannot control their character to a degree that allows for genuine responsibility. This reasoning implies that attributing blame or praise is fundamentally flawed, similar to critiquing someone for attributes they inherently possess, such as their hair color. The discomfort many feel towards this conclusion reflects a deep-rooted challenge in reconciling common intuitions with philosophical reasoning.
P.F. Strawson's Reactive Attitudes and Determinism
P.F. Strawson seeks to bridge the gap between optimists and pessimists regarding moral responsibility by focusing on human interpersonal attitudes, particularly reactive attitudes like resentment and gratitude. He posits that these attitudes are crucial for defining moral responsibility, as they are instinctive responses to actions reflective of goodwill or malevolence. Furthermore, he argues that accepting determinism does not necessitate adopting an exclusively objective stance towards others; instead, human relationships inherently foster these reactive attitudes. Thus, he concludes that moral responsibility remains intact despite deterministic beliefs, affirming the naturalistic foundation of human social interactions.
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Exploring Free Will and Moral Responsibility: A Skeptical Approach
Guest Tamler Sommers (from the Very Bad Wizards podcast) summarizes Galen Strawson's "The Impossibility of Moral Responsibility" (1994) and his father P.F. Strawson's "Freedom and Resentment" (1960).
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