Richardson, C (2022) Free will with chance: towards a libertarian free will in a non-determined, natural scientific world. M.Phil thesis, Bath Spa University.
Abstract
In pursuance of an MPhil, I examine libertarian free will in a non-deterministic world from the perspective of a naturalist position, looking to known biological patterns, and evaluate it against compatibilist determinist possibilities. I argue that an open future is consonant with current mainstream scientific understanding, and discuss possible interpretations based on the philosophy of physics and other scientific disciplines. The discussions also bring in the philosophy of mind, along with older ideas from writers including Hume and Epicurus. I consider the issues of identity and of personal identity in free will, and posit that allowing randomness does not destroy personal responsibility. I utilise ideas derived from bacterial plasmid responses to stress to develop a model of mind in support of my position.
| Item Type: | Thesis (M.Phil) |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | free will, determinism, physics, philosophy, personal identity, David Hume, Epicurus, bacterial plasmids |
| Divisions: | School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Jan 2022 15:32 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2022 18:53 |
| URI / Page ID: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/14526 |
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