Free Will and Determinism

A collection of 198 posts

determinism

Deterministic Bohmian Interpretation of Quantum Back in the Game

For those determinists out there, the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics has often been seen as a thorn in the side. Actually, over recent years, certain more deterministic interpretations have found more favour. However, not many people were expecting the one of the godfathers of quantum physics to make a

determinism

My Free Will? Book and Talk...

Free Will? An investigation into whether we have free will or whether I was always going to write this book. It was my first book, and in many ways I would like to rewrite it. I have so much to add to it, so many psychological and scientific findings that

determinism

My Free Will Talk in Bedford is Pick of the Month

I am giving a talk to the Bedford Skeptics in the Pub group on February 18th on free will. The local magazine, The Bedford Clanger, an arts and culture magazine, phoned me up for an interview. As a result of my winning charm, they have given the event their Pick

fairness

Is Everyone's Free Will Exactly Equal?

Anyone who has frequented my blog in the past or who is cognisant of my writing will know that I deny Libertarian Free Will (LFW) - just search my categories to the right for more information. This question was sent to me by a friend, and I think it is

classical theism

Is this the Best Possible World? Does God Have Free Will?

[caption id="attachment_6939" align="alignright" width="288"] Click on me, reader![/caption] I wrote this some time ago in a few places and thought I would resurrect it on account of my new ebook, The Problem With "God": Classical Theism Under

determinism

Parenting - why it might not much matter. Nature vs nurture!

I want you to consider the possibility that your parents did not shape you as a person. Despite how it feels, your mother and father (or whoever raised you) likely imprinted almost nothing on your personality that has persisted into adulthood. Pause for a minute and let that heresy wash across your

determinism

Another great review for my Free Will? book

Recently, I received another cracking review for my Free Will? book. It was the first book I wrote and heralded the start of my journey into authorship. Grab yourself a copy! (US here, UK here) A great insight and reference for this fascinating subject., 26 Nov. 2015ByAmazon Customer This review

determinism

You know you are doing something right, when... - this moved me

I received this email through the website contact form the other night. It moved me. Subject: I was always going to write this email. Hey Jonathan,

determinism

Dan Davis responds to my Free Will article in Free Inquiry with his own

I recently had an article ("Is Society Accepting That Free Will Is an Illusion?") in the Free Inquiry magazine published in the US, which was, as far as I can tell, well received. In fact, Tom Clark liked it enough to say and post it at Naturalism.org. Tom Clark stated: "Damn good article - the s

determinism

Compatibilism is a "cop out" - John Searle

Compatibilism is a cop out, as according to John Searle, esteemed philosopher. I think I agree! Watch this Closer To Truth video to hear him explain his stance, talking abut the illusion of free will.   [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZfSTpjGl8[/youtube]

determinism

Moral Responsibility (and the Lack of Free Will)

'Trick Slattery is a great resource for infographics and good introductory book on free will and determinism. Check out his website at: Breaking The Free Will Illusion Loads of good stuff there. Here is an infographic looking at moral responsibility in terms of a lack of free will and

free will

My guest appearance on Skepticule podcast special on free will

Please check out the guest showing on the Skepticule Podcast, to which I usually contribute a 5-10 minute segment called Pearced Off! This episode was entirely about free will and feature fellow guest contributor (psychologist) Anonymous Steve. The episode can be found here. Please download it!

determinism

My Free Inquiry article on free will now freely available!

I recently wrote an article for Free Inquiry titled Is Society Accepting That Free Will Is an Illusion? The article is now in the public domain (thanks to FI and their copyright team) over at Naturalism.org, the home of the excellent Center for Naturalism (whose head Tom Clark I

determinism

My free will discussion podcast appearance on Skepticule

I contribute a short segment called "Pearced Off!" to a skeptical podcast called Skepticule. Recently, they invited me on for a full episode about free will. It is now available here for your delectation. Check it out and let me know what you think [caption id="attachment_

Consciousness

Evolution, language and the unconcsious: yup, free will again!

John D. Bargh is a psychologist with an interest in matters concerning free will. He edited a superb book on psychology and free will which I would advise anyone to get called Are We Free? From it, this excerpt was interesting, especially given recent conversations defending naturalism with a fellow

determinism

Charleston Gazette features my FI free will article

I recently wrote an article for the Free Inquiry on free will and its growing acceptance as an illusion in modern society. The other day, an essayist-veteran-humanist-naturalist-freethinker-lawyer in his 90s wrote this piece for the Charleston Gazette. Thanks! Here is an excerpt:

brain

Some notes on free will, evolution and evolutionary psychology, part 1

This will definitely be TL;DR (Too long; didn't read), but... In discussing some thing on a private thread with a fellow Tippling Philosopher, I have written quite a bit on free will, evolution and evolutionary psychology which I would hat to go to waste and would love to keep for reference and p

Consciousness

Authoring our thoughts: my favourite video clip

The next five minutes of this video of Sam Harris talking at the Sydney Opera House on free will is fantastic. The idea that we choose our language and our thoughts is an incoherent one, and that notion is set out with aplomb by Harris here. Enjoy: [youtube]https://youtu.

Featured ATP

Charleston murderer was easy to stop.

If you were God. A friend recently emailed this: The South Carolina Shooter's Free Will or the Will of God? The well-established facts about human birth mechanism includes a tremendous amount of knowledge about the incomprehensible chances against any specific person (p) ever being born. The p sperm

Consciousness

Consciousness has less control than believed, according to new theory

Consciousness -- the internal dialogue that seems to govern one's thoughts and actions -- is far less powerful than people believe, serving as a passive conduit rather than an active force that exerts control, according to a new theory proposed by an SF State researcher.

Consciousness

Oh dear. William Lane Craig and his bizarre triality...

William Lane Craig, in a recent video, has declared, as a get out of jail free card for free will and neuroscience, a soul-brainstate-consciousness model for decision making.

crime

Free Will Skepticism and Criminal Behavior: A Public Health-Quarantine Model

The great Gregg Caruso has produced a fascinating looking paper which I can't wait to read. I have often advocated the quarantine method in crime and punishment. This paper looks to detail that. Here is the abstract: One of the most frequently voiced criticisms of free will skepticism

atheism

Classical theism: God's characteristics shown as incoherent

The classical theistic components of God, his characteristics of being all-loving, all-powerful and all-knowing don't work very well together. This has been something which I have sought to elucidate over the years, so I thought I would compile a synopsis of where we are at with the idea of OmniGod,

determinism

My Godless Spellchecker interview on free will well received

I did an interview yesterday on the popular UK podcast Godless Spellchecker mainly on the topic of free will, but going round the houses a little at the beginning and covering some other subjects. I loved it, it was fun and Stephen is a great interviewer (he let me bang

determinism

Is Society Accepting That Free Will Is an Illusion?

I have just had an article published in the "Free Inquiry" magazine, looking at whether society is coming to grips with the idea that contra-causal free will is an illusion. The article is electronically available to FI subscribers here: https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/articles/7478 I