we "Why have no free will and can live without it?" Derk Pereboom
1. Outline of Hard Incompatibilism We lack the sort of free will required for moral responsibility and hard Incompatibilism and it doesn't negate morality or the meaning of life. 2. Against Compatibilism Compatibilists- free will is required for moral resp and works with determinism. Libertarians- free will exists, but determinism is wrong. Compatibilists believe in various ways that a person is morally resp. Uses getting brain fucked, not responsible and actions were causally determined. Professor Plum kills Ms. White, whose decision is modified through rationality. Examples where the murder is beyond his control. 1. Created by neuroscientists to kill. 2. Neuroscientists programmed him at the beginning of life. 3. He was raised to kill. 4. Physical determinism is true. 3.Event-Causal Libertarianism and the Luck Objection Two types of libs- event-causal (actions caused by events, undermined by luck factor, agent must have some control for resp, uses businesswoman example) and agent-causal. 4. Agent-Causal Libertarianism and an Objection from our Best Phys Theories The agent can enhance their control over the situation, agent possesses power to choose, and is morally responsible. But this is not concurrent with governing physical laws, but scientists say there are chances of other happenings. But they are merely chances, nothing worth basing a theory upon. We feel free but we ignorant of the causes of our own conscious actions. Nonetheless, its possible are nervous system consists of things unknown. 5. Hard Incompatibilism and Wrongdoing If people are no longer blameworthy, can we hold them accountable? Gives example of brain disease, of talks insufficient leverage. But we can simply educate for moral reform. We should look beyond punishment to reform criminals, even if moral education is effective. Uses communicable disease example to illustrate punishing criminals. In that case, we must look to rehabilitate criminals as well.
6. Meaning in Life Hard indeterminism won't undermine achievements bc people should enjoy their success without praise; futures are predictable, but still unknown. It doesn't undermine gifts, bc many natural gifts are revered and it doesn't undermine the individual bc most people give their parents credit bc of their upbringing. 7. Emotions, Reactive Attitudes, and Personal Relationships Reactive attitudes (ie guilt) allow for blameworthiness. But he claims one can maintain relationships without those reactions, and furthermore, withhold moral resentment and still communicate effectively. Forgiveness is allowed bc one can "forget" another's past immoral behavior. Repentance doesn't conflict bc one can recognize their immorality and dedicate themselves to improving. Gratitude becomes a reactive joy. With adult love, one can love someone for their moral attributes whether or not it is in their control. Gives example of roommate and arranged marriages and the steps these people take to provoke and maintain love. Hard Incompatibilism simply means a shift in certain attitudes. 8. The Good in Hard Incompatibilism Moral anger- allows us to hold others accountable while deterring us from being immoral. But anger is enjoyable to experience at times, but destructive. By admitting the negatives, we can use moral anger to constructively hold others accountable while keeping the destructiveness of anger at bay.