The Free Will Show
Taylor Cyr and Matt Flummer
Do any of us really have free will? What does it mean to have free will, anyway? Is free will compatible with determinism? Hasn’t science disproved free will? How could we have free will if God exists and foreknows everything that we will ever do? The Free Will Show provides a beginner-friendly introduction to the topic of free will while at the same time exposing listeners to cutting-edge developments on the topic. Hosted by a couple of philosophers, Taylor Cyr and Matt Flummer, The Free Will Show features interviews with guests on a diverse array of issues relating to free will, including issues in science and theology. thefreewillshow.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 2min
Episode 96: The Problem of Blame with Kelly McCormick
In this episode we talk to Kelly McCormick about the problem of blame and her reasons for thinking that we shouldn’t eliminate blame from our lives.Kelly's website: https://addran.tcu.edu/view/kelly-mccormickKelly's book: The Problem of BlameTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Mar 17, 2025 • 59min
Episode 95: Experimental Philosophy and Free Will with Eddy Nahmias
In this episode, we talk with Eddy Nahmias about the experimental philosophy of free will and his own compatibilist view.Eddy's Website: https://eddynahmias.com/Eddy's paper (with Nadelhoffer and Morris): Is Incompatibilism Intuitive?Eddy's paper with Oisin Deery: Why the Manipulation Argument Fails: Determinism Does Not Entail Perfect PredictionTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 94: Time Travel and Free Will with Neal Tognazzini
In this episode, we talk with Neal Tognazzini about time travel and free will as well as some non-standard threats to free will from other areas of metaphysics.Neal's website: https://sites.google.com/view/neal-tognazzini/home?authuser=0Neal's paper (with Andrew Law), "Free Will and Two Local Determinisms": https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10670-018-9992-9Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Feb 10, 2025 • 47min
Episode 93: Basic Responsibility with Matt King
In this episode, we talk with Matt King about various kinds of responsibility and how they all share in what he calls the basic responsibility relation.Matt's website: https://dr-matt-king.squarespace.com/Matt's book: Simply ResponsibleTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Jan 27, 2025 • 30min
Episode 92: The Paradox of Moral Education with Sabrina Little
In this episode, we talk with Sabrina Little about a puzzle about free will in the context of moral education.Sabrina's website: https://sabrinalittle.com/Sabrina's book: The Examined RunTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Jan 13, 2025 • 42min
Episode 91: Agency Incompatibilism with Helen Steward
In this episode, we talk with Helen Steward about her view that agency itself, not just free agency, is incompatible with determinism. Helen's website: https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/1167/professor-helen-steward-fbaHelen's book: A Metaphysics for FreedomTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
7 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 32min
Episode 90: Sin and Free Will with Leigh Vicens
Leigh Vicens, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Augustana University, delves into the intricate relationship between sin and free will within Christian thought. She explores theological determinism and compatibilism, unpacking their implications for human agency and moral responsibility. The discussion also critiques libertarian views, highlighting challenges like trans world depravity. Moreover, the conversation touches on universalism, addressing moral questions and inviting deeper reflection on the essence of divine justice and love.
Dec 9, 2024 • 37min
Episode 89: Free Will in Heaven with Benjamin Matheson
In this conversation with Benjamin Matheson, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Byrne, the complexities of free will in heaven unravel. They explore how compatibilist and libertarian viewpoints clash in a perfect afterlife. Matheson dissects morality’s relationship with free will, questioning how choices and redemption shape our existence even in paradise. The dialogue also delves into the implications of a benevolent God, the nature of moral responsibility, and the philosophical challenges of true freedom in a suffering-free environment.
Nov 25, 2024 • 54min
Episode 88: Divine Freedom with Thomas Ward
In this episode, we talk with Tom Ward about divine free will, focusing on Duns Scotus's view of divine free will and the act of creation.Tom's website: https://www.thomasmward.com/Tom's book, Ordered by Love: An Introduction to John Duns Scotus: https://angelicopress.com/products/ordered-by-love?srsltid=AfmBOoo6x3lkxblphcS_BASqIQmPqR6wr6ZO6objsyEtwLdgGrTyl5G9Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Nov 11, 2024 • 40min
Episode 87: Grace and Free Will with Kevin Timpe
In this episode, we talk with Kevin Timpe about grace and free will, focusing on a puzzle that arises for the Christian view of divine grace towards fallen human beings.Kevin's website: https://kevintimpe.com/Kevin's book: Free Will in Philosophical TheologyKevin's papers:Grace and Controlling What We Do Not CauseCooperative Grace, Cooperative AgencyTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
