Doing without Free Will

Spinoza and Contemporary Moral Problems

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book Doing without Free Will by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz ISBN: 9781498523233
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: October 8, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
ISBN: 9781498523233
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: October 8, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

Doing without Free Will: Spinoza and Contemporary Moral Problems introduces Spinoza into the contemporary discussion on free will and on moral problems surrounding this discussion. Traditional Western moral philosophy, for the most part, has been built on the assumption of free will as a special human capacity to freely choose actions without being determined in that choice. This idea draws increasing critique, fueled recently especially by the ever new findings of neuroscience. But how can we develop a moral philosophy without free will?
Spinoza faced a similar challenge when writing his Ethics during the rise of modern science and its deterministic model of nature and, for this reason, has much to offer the current discussion. Not only does he provide a foundation for understanding moral responsibility without free will, he also provides an explanation and solution to the classical problem of akrasia precisely because he argues the will is not free. He worked out an entirely new system of moral philosophy that can help resolve the meta-ethical dilemma between absolutism and relativism, showing how moral values evolve naturally within society.
Despite denying the traditional God-like power of “free will” Spinoza developed a robust concept of freedom, one that is distinctly human and viable today. His modernity comes to light when we look at his answers to the much discussed questions whether it is possible or even desirable to develop objective instead of reactive attitudes toward our fellow human beings. His answers, perhaps surprisingly, resemble positions held by some contemporary philosophers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Doing without Free Will: Spinoza and Contemporary Moral Problems introduces Spinoza into the contemporary discussion on free will and on moral problems surrounding this discussion. Traditional Western moral philosophy, for the most part, has been built on the assumption of free will as a special human capacity to freely choose actions without being determined in that choice. This idea draws increasing critique, fueled recently especially by the ever new findings of neuroscience. But how can we develop a moral philosophy without free will?
Spinoza faced a similar challenge when writing his Ethics during the rise of modern science and its deterministic model of nature and, for this reason, has much to offer the current discussion. Not only does he provide a foundation for understanding moral responsibility without free will, he also provides an explanation and solution to the classical problem of akrasia precisely because he argues the will is not free. He worked out an entirely new system of moral philosophy that can help resolve the meta-ethical dilemma between absolutism and relativism, showing how moral values evolve naturally within society.
Despite denying the traditional God-like power of “free will” Spinoza developed a robust concept of freedom, one that is distinctly human and viable today. His modernity comes to light when we look at his answers to the much discussed questions whether it is possible or even desirable to develop objective instead of reactive attitudes toward our fellow human beings. His answers, perhaps surprisingly, resemble positions held by some contemporary philosophers.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Don DeLillo after the Millennium by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Climate Change by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Revolution and Genocide in Ethiopia and Cambodia by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book The Conflict Between Secular and Religious Narratives in the United States by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Facing South to Africa by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book How Karl Marx Can Save American Capitalism by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Portuguese Literature and the Environment by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Doing English in Asia by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Biltong Hunting as a Performance of Belonging in Post-Apartheid South Africa by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Pockets of Change by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Image and Emotion in Voter Decisions by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Digital Age by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book The Political Humanism of Hannah Arendt by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book Feminist Explorations of Paul Ricoeur's Philosophy by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
Cover of the book When the Letter Betrays the Spirit by J. Thomas Cook, Ursula Goldenbaum, Julia Haas, Matthew Homan, Christopher Kluz
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy