Introduction to Free Will and Moral Responsibility

The podcast explores fundamental questions about free will and moral responsibility, particularly through the works of philosophers Peter Strawson and his son Galen Strawson. Central to the discussion is whether individuals can truly be held morally accountable for their actions, especially in light of determinism, which suggests that all actions are pre-determined by prior states of the universe. Gary Watson's perspectives are also highlighted, indicating variations on the theme of moral responsibility, notably challenging the idea that humans deserve praise or blame in a deterministic framework. The conversation weaves in different philosophical positions that create a rich tapestry of perspectives on the age-old question of free will.