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Author: Jonathan M. S. Pearce
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780956694805
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 274
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Book Description
This book is a fine introduction into the age-old philosophical debate as to whether we have free will, or whether we live determined lives. Pearce approaches the subject in a lively manner, explaining terms clearly and using anecdotes to break down some of the heavier philosophy so that it is available to the popular philosophy reader. Now that we are understanding our genetic heritage and our neurology better, can we account for all our characteristics and decisions? The author also looks at how theories of free will and determinism integrate with religion, particularly Christianity. If we live under the illusion of free will, do religions need reassessing? How does free will work when God knows what we are doing in advance? Does God have free will? How does prophecy interfere with free will? How is our justice system affected if we know exactly why people commit crimes? These and other crucial questions are investigated with a deft touch, and the author uses recent and important scientific findings to support the text supplying a valuable overview to the subject. "his lucid and entertaining book FREE WILL is highly recommended" - The South Hampshire Humanists
Author: Jonathan M. S. Pearce
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780956694805
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Get Book Here
Book Description
This book is a fine introduction into the age-old philosophical debate as to whether we have free will, or whether we live determined lives. Pearce approaches the subject in a lively manner, explaining terms clearly and using anecdotes to break down some of the heavier philosophy so that it is available to the popular philosophy reader. Now that we are understanding our genetic heritage and our neurology better, can we account for all our characteristics and decisions? The author also looks at how theories of free will and determinism integrate with religion, particularly Christianity. If we live under the illusion of free will, do religions need reassessing? How does free will work when God knows what we are doing in advance? Does God have free will? How does prophecy interfere with free will? How is our justice system affected if we know exactly why people commit crimes? These and other crucial questions are investigated with a deft touch, and the author uses recent and important scientific findings to support the text supplying a valuable overview to the subject. "his lucid and entertaining book FREE WILL is highly recommended" - The South Hampshire Humanists
Author: Dan Barker
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
ISBN: 1454927364
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 134
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Book Description
A compelling essay on free will from an internationally recognized authority on atheism, and author of God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction. Do we have free will? And if we don’t, why do we feel as if we do? In a godless universe governed by impersonal laws of cause and effect, are you responsible for your actions? Former evangelical minister Dan Barker (God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction) unveils a novel solution to the question that has baffled scientists and philosophers for millennia. He outlines the concept of what he calls “harmonic free will,” a two-dimensional perspective that pivots the paradox on its axis to show that there is no single answer—both sides are right. Free will is a useful illusion: not a scientific, but a social truth.
Author: John W. Loftus
Publisher: Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA)
ISBN: 1634311000
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 272
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Book Description
Just as intelligent design is not a legitimate branch of biology in public educational institutions, nor should the philosophy of religion be a legitimate branch of philosophy. So argues acclaimed author John W. Loftus in this forceful takedown of the very discipline in which he was trained. In his call for ending the philosophy of religion, he argues that, as it is presently being practiced, the main reason the discipline exists is to serve the faith claims of Christianity. Most of philosophy of religion has become little more than an effort to defend and rationalize preexisting Christian beliefs. If subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology are all taught without reference to faith-based supernatural forces as explanations, faith-based teachings should not be acceptable in this discipline either. While the book offers a fascinating study of the fallacies and flaws on which one whole field of study rests, it speaks to something much larger in the ongoing culture wars. By highlighting the stark differences between faith-based reasoning and evidence-based reasoning, Loftus presents vital arguments and lessons about the importance of critical thinking not only in all aspects of study but also in life. His conclusions and recommendations thus resonate far beyond the ivory towers and ivy-covered walls of academic institutions.
Author: Mark Balaguer
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262525798
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 152
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Book Description
A philosopher considers whether the scientific and philosophical arguments against free will are reason enough to give up our belief in it. In our daily life, it really seems as though we have free will, that what we do from moment to moment is determined by conscious decisions that we freely make. You get up from the couch, you go for a walk, you eat chocolate ice cream. It seems that we're in control of actions like these; if we are, then we have free will. But in recent years, some have argued that free will is an illusion. The neuroscientist (and best-selling author) Sam Harris and the late Harvard psychologist Daniel Wegner, for example, claim that certain scientific findings disprove free will. In this engaging and accessible volume in the Essential Knowledge series, the philosopher Mark Balaguer examines the various arguments and experiments that have been cited to support the claim that human beings don't have free will. He finds them to be overstated and misguided. Balaguer discusses determinism, the view that every physical event is predetermined, or completely caused by prior events. He describes several philosophical and scientific arguments against free will, including one based on Benjamin Libet's famous neuroscientific experiments, which allegedly show that our conscious decisions are caused by neural events that occur before we choose. He considers various religious and philosophical views, including the philosophical pro-free-will view known as compatibilism. Balaguer concludes that the anti-free-will arguments put forward by philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscientists simply don't work. They don't provide any good reason to doubt the existence of free will. But, he cautions, this doesn't necessarily mean that we have free will. The question of whether we have free will remains an open one; we simply don't know enough about the brain to answer it definitively.
Author: Jerry A. Coyne
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 019164384X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416
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Book Description
For all the discussion in the media about creationism and 'Intelligent Design', virtually nothing has been said about the evidence in question - the evidence for evolution by natural selection. Yet, as this succinct and important book shows, that evidence is vast, varied, and magnificent, and drawn from many disparate fields of science. The very latest research is uncovering a stream of evidence revealing evolution in action - from the actual observation of a species splitting into two, to new fossil discoveries, to the deciphering of the evidence stored in our genome. Why Evolution is True weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, palaeontology, geology, molecular biology, anatomy, and development to demonstrate the 'indelible stamp' of the processes first proposed by Darwin. It is a crisp, lucid, and accessible statement that will leave no one with an open mind in any doubt about the truth of evolution.
Author: Andrea Febrian
Publisher: Andrea Febrian
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 57
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Book Description
"Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating exploration of one of the most enduring and perplexing philosophical questions of all time: do we have free will, or are our lives predetermined by fate? This book delves deep into the heart of this age-old debate, examining the complex interplay between choice, consequence, and the human experience. Drawing upon a rich tapestry of philosophical perspectives, from the ancient wisdom of Aristotle and the Stoics to the groundbreaking insights of contemporary thinkers like Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the free will problem. Along the way, readers will encounter a wide range of fascinating topics and ideas, including: The nature of causality and determinism The relationship between free will and moral responsibility The implications of neuroscience and psychology for our understanding of agency and choice The role of chance, randomness, and uncertainty in shaping our lives The existential significance of free will for our sense of meaning, purpose, and identity Through a careful and nuanced examination of these key themes and questions, "Questions for Humans" invites readers to grapple with the profound implications of the free will debate for our understanding of ourselves, our place in the world, and the fabric of reality itself. But this book is more than just an academic exploration of abstract philosophical concepts. It is also a deeply personal and introspective journey that challenges readers to confront their own beliefs, assumptions, and experiences surrounding free will and determinism. With its engaging and accessible writing style, thought-provoking examples, and practical exercises and reflections, "Questions for Humans" is a book that not only informs and educates but also transforms and inspires. Whether you are a seasoned philosopher, a curious layperson, or simply someone who has ever wondered about the nature of choice and consequence, this book offers a timely and essential guide to one of the most important and enduring questions of human existence. Some of the key benefits and takeaways that readers can expect from this book include: A deeper understanding of the historical and conceptual foundations of the free will debate A clearer sense of the major arguments and positions on both sides of the issue A more nuanced and sophisticated appreciation for the complexity and significance of the question of free will Practical insights and tools for navigating the challenges and opportunities of living in a world where the nature of choice and agency is uncertain A renewed sense of wonder, curiosity, and humility in the face of the grand mysteries of human existence Ultimately, "Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is more than just a book about philosophy; it is a book about what it means to be human. By grappling with the profound implications of free will and determinism, readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the richness, complexity, and sheer mystery of the human experience. So if you are ready to embark on a fascinating and transformative journey into the heart of one of the most enduring and important questions of human existence, then "Questions for Humans: The Paradox of Free Will, Philosophical Perspectives on Fate, Choice, and Consequence" is the book for you. With its engaging and accessible style, thought-provoking insights, and practical wisdom, this book is sure to leave a lasting impact on your understanding of yourself, your place in the world, and the very nature of reality itself.
Author: KrsnaKnows
Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
ISBN: 1482823489
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 305
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Book Description
Who are you? What are you here for? What is the reason for your birth? What is the meaning of life? Can you always be happy? What is your true calling? Why is there suffering in this world? Science can disprove all the mythological stories, so why should anyone believe in those stories? What is the real meaning of these myths? Is there a God? All these questions have dogged every human being from time immemorial. This book gives you answers to these questions which have troubled you. This book can start you off on your journey in spiritual. Walk with me to know the deepest secrets about life. Come, journey forth! Let's explore the worlds beyond the material realm. There is truth and grandeur far beyond human imagination. There are secrets beyond your five bodies. Beyond this Manifest domain is the Unmanifest, where there is pure love and only devotion. You can only reach there by the four truths - full faith in your Master, complete surrender at His feet, pure, unconditional love and absolute devotion. Words alone can never make you get there so remember to follow the path laid out. After a journey full of wonderment, you will arrive at a place where you have to leave everything and just follow the instructions of the Master. To know it, you have to experience the truth first hand. Then alone your knowledge will be perfect.
Author: Robin R. Vallacher
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351207385
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 500
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Book Description
This textbook provides a thorough insight into the discipline of social psychology, creating an integrative and cumulative framework to present students with a rich and engaging account of the human social experience. From a person’s momentary impulses to a society’s values and norms, the diversity of social psychology makes for a fascinating discipline, but it also presents a formidable challenge for presentation in a manner that is coherent and cumulative rather than fragmented and disordered. Using an accessible and readable style, the author shows how the field’s dizzying and highly fragmented array of topics, models, theories, and paradigms can best be understood through a coherent conceptual narrative in which topics are presented in careful sequence, with each chapter building on what has already been learned while providing the groundwork for understanding what follows in the next chapter. The text also examines recent developments such as how computer simulations and big data supplement the traditional methods of experiment and correlation. Also containing a wide range of features, including key term glossaries and compact "summing up and looking ahead" overviews, and covering an enormous range of topics from self-concept to social change, this comprehensive textbook is essential reading for any student of social psychology.
Author: R.L. Franklin
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351786822
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 358
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Book Description
This book, first published in 1968, examines the complicated issues which surround the problem of freewill. Although it reaches a libertarian conclusion, its focus is largely on other questions. What ultimately is at stake in this debate? What difference would it make whether we had freewill or not? Why must disagreement persist, and why do philosophes each opposed conclusions with such confidence? The answers to these questions open new perspectives.
Author: David Kyle Johnson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118168917
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 400
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Book Description
A philosophical look at the movie Inception and its brilliant metaphysical puzzles Is the top still spinning? Was it all a dream? In the world of Christopher Nolan's four-time Academy Award-winning movie, people can share one another's dreams and alter their beliefs and thoughts. Inception is a metaphysical heist film that raises more questions than it answers: Can we know what is real? Can you be held morally responsible for what you do in dreams? What is the nature of dreams, and what do they tell us about the boundaries of "self" and "other"? From Plato to Aristotle and from Descartes to Hume, Inception and Philosophy draws from important philosophical minds to shed new light on the movie's captivating themes, including the one that everyone talks about: did the top fall down (and does it even matter)? Explores the movie's key questions and themes, including how we can tell if we're dreaming or awake, how to make sense of a paradox, and whether or not inception is possible Gives new insights into the nature of free will, time, dreams, and the unconscious mind Discusses different interpretations of the film, and whether or not philosophy can help shed light on which is the "right one" Deepens your understanding of the movie's multi-layered plot and dream-infiltrating characters, including Dom Cobb, Arthur, Mal, Ariadne, Eames, Saito, and Yusuf An essential companion for every dedicated Inception fan, this book will enrich your experience of the Inception universe and its complex dreamscape.
