PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 232, TTh 9am-10am in AUD A Angell Hall
The University of Michigan
Fall 2004

Name__________________________

 

Reading Questions on Nagel and Campbell on Free Will

Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

  1. Nagel contrasts the idea of free will with determinism. What does he say is the hypothesis of determinism?

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  2. Nagel suggests the "alarming possibility" that we are not responsible for our actions whether determinism is true or whether it is false. How could this be the case?

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  3. Campbell claims that the issue of free will is considered important because of its connection with something else (Nagel notes this connection as well). What is this? How is free will related to it?

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  4. Campbell appeals to a "phenomenological analysis" to argue for free will. What does such an analysis look at, and what does Campbell claim is revealed by this analysis?

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  5. On Campbell’s view, free will’s range is greatly narrowed. What is the sole type of situation in which he thinks free will is exerted?