Nick Byrd

doi:10.62876/lr.vi039.5025

Authors

Nick Byrd Stevens Institute of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62876/lr.vi039.5025

Keywords:

reflection, intention, free will, neuroscience, philosophy of mind

Abstract

Some have argued that our sense of free will is an illusion. And some base this
free will skepticism on claims about when we become consciously aware of our
intentions. Evidence suggests that unreflective intentions form before we are
conscious of them. And that is supposed to challenge our sense of free will.
This inference from unreflective intention to free will skepticism may seem
intuitive at first. However, upon reflection, this argument seems to entail a
magical view of free will. So, insofar as free will does not require magic,
unreflective intentions do not necessarily undermine our sense of free will.

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Author Biography

Nick Byrd, Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ, USA

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