
The Free Will Show
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
Latest episodes

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/

Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 86: God, Purpose, and Reality with John Bishop and Ken Perszyk
In this episode we talk with John Bishop and Ken Perszyk about the euteleological understanding of theism, which is an alternative to personal theism.John's website: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/jc-bishopKen's website: https://profiles.waikato.ac.nz/ken.perszykJohn and Ken's book: God, Purpose, and RealityTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

Oct 14, 2024 • 38min
Episode 85: Petitionary Prayer and Free Will with Scott Davison
Scott Davison, a philosophy professor at Moorhead State University, dives deep into the intriguing world of petitionary prayer. He explores its definition and the philosophical challenges it faces, particularly concerning divine free will. Davison shares his journey from libertarianism to an agnostic view on free will, influenced by scientific insights. The conversation also touches on how genuine responses to prayer can be understood, emphasizing intent and context while questioning the real impact of prayer on divine decisions.

Sep 30, 2024 • 48min
Episode 84: Free Will and Providence with Alan Rhoda
In this episode, we talk with Alan Rhoda about the strengths and weaknesses of various models of divine providence and free will.Alan's website: http://www.alanrhoda.net/Alan's book, Open Theism: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/open-theism/58D1856058A7BAED3BD758245927FADBTwitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

Sep 16, 2024 • 31min
Episode 83: Divine Causation and Creaturely Action with Gloria Frost
In this discussion, Gloria Frost, a philosophy professor known for her work on medieval thought, dives into the intricate relationship between divine causation and human action. She articulates how figures like Aquinas and Scotus view the balance of divine influence and free will. The conversation explores radical perspectives, particularly Alevi's critique of excessive divine causation affecting God's goodness. With insights into emerging trends, Gloria reveals how these age-old debates continue to shape contemporary philosophical discourse.

Sep 2, 2024 • 39min
Episode 82: Compatibilism and the Problem of Evil with Jason Turner
In this episode, we talk with Jason Turner about whether certain kinds of compatibilists can use the free will defense in response to the problem of evil.Jason's website: https://philosophy.arizona.edu/person/jason-turnerJason's paper, "Compatibilism and the Free Will Defense": https://place.asburyseminary.edu/faithandphilosophy/vol30/iss2/1/Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

Aug 19, 2024 • 50min
Episode 81: Free Will and the Problem of Evil with Daniel Speak
Daniel Speak, a Professor of Philosophy specializing in metaphysics and the problem of evil, shares his insightful journey into the complexities of free will. He humorously explores racquetball anecdotes while delving into the tension between evil and an all-good deity. The discussion spans historical and modern views on moral responsibility, highlighting thinkers like John Hick and Alvin Plantinga. Speak emphasizes human evolution as a divine journey of moral growth, emphasizing the importance of free will in shaping character and overcoming life's challenges.

May 30, 2024 • 46min
Episode 80: Instrumentalist Accounts of Moral Responsibility with Anneli Jefferson
In this episode, we talk with Anneli Jefferson about instrumentalist accounts of moral responsibility and some challenges for the view, including issues related to blaming the dead.Anneli's website: https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/jeffersona1Anneli's paper, "Instrumentalism about Moral Responsibility Revisited": https://academic.oup.com/pq/article/69/276/555/5266881?login=falseAnneli's paper, "Blaming the Dead": https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ejop.12947Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

May 6, 2024 • 35min
Episode 79: Neuroethics and Moral Responsibility with Josh May
In this episode, we talk with Josh May about issues in neuroethics and the law and also about mental disorders and moral responsibility.Josh's website: https://www.joshdmay.com/Josh's book, Neuroethics: Agency in the Age of Brain Sciecne: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/neuroethics-9780197648094?cc=us&lang=en&Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/

Apr 22, 2024 • 49min
Episode 78: Narrative and Moral Responsibility with Meghan Griffith
In this episode, we talk with Meghan Griffith about developing a narrative capacity and how it relates to becoming morally responsible.Megan's website: https://www.davidson.edu/people/meghan-griffithMegan's paper, "Narrative Capacity and Moral Responsibility": https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/social-philosophy-and-policy/article/abs/narrative-capacity-and-moral-responsibility/B1685573B9DFCAEF6D0B22EA54222D46 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefreewillshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreewillshow/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Will-Show-105535031200408/
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.