Neurophilosophy of Free Will - From Libertatian Illusions to a Concept of Natural Autonomy

Erscheinungsjahr 2001
ISBN: 978-0-262-23214-2
Verlag: MIT Press

Buch, Englisch, 407 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 236 mm, Gewicht: 676 g

Reihe: A Bradford Book

Walter applies the methodology of neurophilosophy to one of philosophy's central challenges, the notion of free will. Neurophilosophical conclusions are based on, and consistent with, scientific knowledge about the brain and its functioning.Neuroscientists routinely investigate such classical philosophical topics as consciousness, thought, language, meaning, aesthetics, and death. According to Henrik Walter, philosophers should in turn embrace the wealth of research findings and ideas provided by neuroscience. In this book Walter applies the methodology of neurophilosophy to one of philosophy's central challenges, the notion of free will. Neurophilosophical conclusions are based on, and consistent with, scientific knowledge about the brain and its functioning.Walter's answer to whether there is free will is, It depends. The basic questions concerning free will are (1) whether we are able to choose other than we actually do, (2) whether our choices are made intelligibly, and (3) whether we are really the originators of our choices. According to Walter, freedom of will is an illusion if we mean by it that under identical conditions we would be able to do or decide otherwise, while simultaneously acting only for reasons and being the true originators of our actions. In place of this scientifically untenable strong version of free will, Walter offers what he calls natural autonomy—self-determination unaided by supernatural powers that could exist even in an entirely determined universe. Although natural autonomy can support neither our traditional concept of guilt nor certain cherished illusions about ourselves, it does not imply the abandonment of all concepts of responsibility. For we are not mere marionettes, with no influence over our thoughts or actions.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Walter, Henrik

Weitere Mitwirkende

Klohr, Cynthia

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Neurowissenschaften, Kognitionswissenschaft
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Neurobiologie, Verhaltensbiologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Philosophie des Geistes, Neurophilosophie

Über Autor(innen)

Walter, Henrik
Henrik Walter is a psychiatrist, neurologist, and philosopher. He is a research scientist and chief consultant psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ulm, Germany.

Henrik Walter is a psychiatrist, neurologist, and philosopher. He is a research scientist and chief consultant psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ulm, Germany.