The Free Will Show
Episode 51: Flickers of Freedom with Bradford Stockdale
Jan 23, 2023
Dive into the intriguing concept of the 'flicker of freedom' strategy as we dissect classic Frankfurt cases. Explore the journey of philosophical inquiry sparked by pop culture, particularly The Matrix. Challenge your understanding of moral responsibility through the Principle of Alternative Possibilities. Navigate the fine line between determinism and personal agency, questioning the nature of autonomy. Finally, examine how moral freedom can exist even in deterministic scenarios, shedding light on deep philosophical debates.
34:07
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The Flicker of Freedom Strategy defends the compatibility of free will with determinism by proposing subtle alternatives exist even in predetermined scenarios.
- Brad Stockdale challenges the fine-grained flicker defense, illustrating complexities in moral responsibility when actions seem predetermined yet independent.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Flicker of Freedom Strategy
The discussion highlights the Flicker of Freedom Strategy as a response to Frankfurt cases in the free will debate, which questions the principle of alternative possibilities (PAP). PAP posits that moral responsibility hinges on the ability to have acted differently. The importance of this principle lies in its implication that in a deterministic universe, where only one outcome is possible, agents would lack moral responsibility. The Flicker of Freedom Strategy proposes that even in such scenarios, individuals maintain a degree of freedom, often exemplified through nuanced alternatives, thereby defending the compatibility of free will with determinism.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
