Philosophy

Fallibilism

knowledge doesn’t require absolute certainty

Brain In a Vat

1. I don’t know that BIVH is false

2. If 1, then I don’t know anything about the external world.

3.  I don’t know anything about the external world.

Moore’s Argument

1. Here’s one hand, and here’s another

2. From 1, I know that I have two hands. 

3. If external world skepticism were true, then I would not know that I have hands.

4. Therefore, External World Skepticism is false.

Mad Scientist Case

Setup: John, a mad neuroscientist, wants Alex to perform action A . John has installed a failsafe device: John monitors prior signs of an intention forming. If Alex begins to decide that he won’t kill, the scientist preempts and forces A. So John ensures that Alex decides to do A.

What actually happens: Alex, for his own reasons, decides to do A. John never intervenes. Intuition: Alex seems to freely have chosen to do A even though he could not have done otherwise.

Consequence Argument

1. If determinism is true, then everything that happens including my actions is a consequence of the past and the laws of nature.

2. I have no control over the past or the laws of nature.

4. If my actions are a consequence of things over which I have no control, then I have no control over my actions.

5. If I have no control over my actions, then my actions are not freely chosen.

6. If determinism is true, my actions are not freely chosen.

7. If I have no control over my actions, my actions are not freely chosen.

8. Therefore, if determinism is true, then my actions are not freely chosen.

Compatibilism

Free action can exist even if determinism is true.