Free Will and Epistemology - by Robert Lockie (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the first in-depth study of the transcendental argument for decades, Free Will and Epistemology defends a modern version of the famous transcendental argument for free will: that we could not be justified in undermining a strong notion of free will, as a strong notion of free will is required for any such process of undermining to be itself epistemically justified.

By arguing for a conception of internalism that goes back to the early days of the internalist-externalist debates, it draws on work by Richard Foley, William Alston and Alvin Plantinga to explain the importance of epistemic deontology and its role in the transcendental argument. It expands on the principle that 'ought' implies 'can' and presents a strong case for a form of self-determination. With references to cases in the neuroscientific and cognitive-psychological literature, Free Will and Epistemology provides an original contribution to work on epistemic justification and the free will debate.

Review Quotes

Lockie deserves praise for connecting the topics of epistemology and free will in a clear and thoughtful way ... Even more importantly, Lockie's book persuasively shows the intimate connection between deontic internalism and Libertarianism. If they are so closely related to each other, Lockie provides one of the strongest reasons in the literature for embracing Libertarian free will.
Ethical Theory and Moral Practice

Lockie presents a thorough, nuanced argument for a (somewhat) commonsense and intuitive theory of moral agency and freedom ... Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty.
CHOICE

Lockie's book is a strikingly original exercise in philosophical ressourcement: refurbishing ancient philosophical theses and arguments and bringing them into conversation with predominant contemporary positions. Lockie provides linked transcendental arguments regarding the nature of our cognitive and practical agency, in favor of deontic epistemic internalism and metaphysical libertarianism. It is argued with care and style. The smart and informed critical perspective Lockie brings is a most useful stimulus, at minimum, to recognize afresh the uncertain basis of prevailing research programs - and perhaps to re-think them entirely.
Tim O'Connor, Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University, USA & Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University, USA

About the Author

Robert Lockie is Senior Lecturer in the School of Human and Social Sciences at the University of West London, UK.