Aaron Rabinowitz, a philosopher and host of Embrace the Void and Philosophers in Space podcast, joins to discuss freewill vs determinism. They explore the impact on social policies, criminal justice, and more. The podcast also delves into the philosophical themes in Westworld and the relationship between determinism and moral realism.
Acknowledging the role of luck can lead to more compassion and a reevaluation of societal systems to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Understanding determinism challenges meritocratic beliefs and supports the need for societal redistribution of wealth and resources.
Embracing a worldview that rejects free will can foster empathy, compassion, and a more egalitarian society.
Accepting the influence of luck leads to greater empathy and a more nuanced understanding of ethical choices.
Deep dives
The importance of luck and lack of free will in moral reasoning and responsibility
The podcast explores the ideas of luck and determinism in relation to moral reasoning and moral responsibility. The guest, an analytic philosopher, argues that everything in life is ultimately a result of luck and that free will is an illusion. This view challenges the notion of moral responsibility and holds that people's actions and choices are determined by factors beyond their control, such as their genetics, upbringing, and environment. The guest suggests that acknowledging the role of luck can lead to more compassion and humility, as well as a reevaluation of societal systems, like the judiciary, to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Debating the view of determinism in Westworld
The podcast delves into the philosophical viewpoint presented in the TV show Westworld, which suggests that humans are deterministic beings, while the hosts in the show, being programmable, have the ability to change their base drives and break free from predetermined loops. The guest, an advocate of hard determinism, opposes the idea that the hosts have a special kind of free will, arguing that even their choices are ultimately determined by their constitutive and circumstantial luck. The discussion also touches upon the concept of fatalism and the relationship between determinism and nihilism.
Challenging the belief in meritocracy
The podcast explores the implications of the belief in meritocracy and how it intersects with the concept of luck and lack of free will. The guest argues against the idea that individuals deserve their outcomes based on their actions and work ethic. They propose that success and wealth are largely influenced by luck, such as an individual's circumstances and constitutive luck. They argue that adopting a more luck-based perspective can challenge meritocratic beliefs and support the need for societal redistribution of wealth and resources. The discussion highlights the importance of reevaluating societal systems, such as the justice system, to better address systemic injustice and inequalities.
The value of understanding luck and determining societal change
The podcast contemplates the implications of embracing a worldview that rejects free will and emphasizes the role of luck. The guest argues that acknowledging the role of luck in our lives can help foster empathy, compassion, and a more egalitarian society. They discuss how understanding determinism and luck can lead to transformative changes, especially through reforms in the justice system and the way society views success and merit. The conversation also touches on the potential of futuristic societies, like those depicted in science fiction, where advanced technology and AI can further optimize social structures and reduce scarcity.
The role of luck in moral responsibility
The podcast explores the concept of luck in relation to moral responsibility. The speaker argues that luck plays a significant role in shaping individuals' actions and outcomes, challenging the idea of free will and personal agency. The discussion focuses on how accepting the influence of luck can lead to greater empathy and compassion towards others, as well as a more nuanced understanding of ethical choices.
The nature of moral truths in a deterministic universe
The podcast delves into the nature of moral truths in a deterministic universe. The speaker explains their perspective as a moral foundationalist, believing in objective moral truths that exist independent of individual preferences or beliefs. They highlight the importance of avoiding suffering and respecting rights as universal moral foundations, while acknowledging that conflicts between these foundations may arise. The conversation also explores the context sensitivity of moral claims and the potential for moral truths to apply across different beings and universes.
The implications for morality and personal identity
The podcast addresses the implications of deterministic philosophy for morality and personal identity. It emphasizes the challenges of determining moral responsibility in cases involving individuals with sadistic tendencies or harmful desires. The speaker suggests that while debates on moral responsibility might not always have clear-cut answers, society should focus on containment and compassion towards those posing harm. The conversation concludes by considering possible future developments in the Westworld series, such as the exploration of labyrinths as spaces for ethical training and the potential blending of humans and AI.
Today we're joined by Aaron Rabinowitz, lecturing philosopher at Rutgers, as well as host of the Embrace the Void and Philosophers in Space podcast. He's going to be talking to us today about the concepts of freewill vs determinism. Are humans on inescapable loops? Are we truly free to make our own decisions? If not, do our choices matter in any meaningful way? How do these philosophies impact social policies, economics, criminal justice, and more? And how does this connect to the themes of Westworld?
Check out https://support.baldmove.com/ to find out how you can gain access to ALL of our premium content, as well as ad-free versions of the podcasts, for just $5 a month!
