The Libertarian Spectrum (Part III) Agent-Causal and Noncausal Views

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses contemporary agent-causal (AC) and noncausal (NC) libertarian views, comparing them to the view of this book. Once again, as in the previous two chapters, rather than focusing merely on criticisms of these libertarian views, the chapter also looks for convergences between them and the AC/EC view defended here. In doing so, the chapter discusses the views of a variety of traditional and contemporary philosophers who have defended libertarian views of an agent-causal kind. Noncausalist libertarian views have not been as popular as agent-causal views among libertarians. But the chapter argues that while they also fall short of giving adequate accounts of libertarian free will, much can also be learned by considering the motivations and arguments for such noncausalist views. Considering such views throws further light on the role of complex dynamical systems, teleological guidance control, and plural voluntary control in making sense of libertarian free will.