Abstract
Modal arguments for incompatibility of freedom and determinism are typically based on the “transfer principle” for inability to act otherwise (Beta). The principle of agglomerativity (closure under conjunction introduction) is derivable from Beta. The most convincing counterexample to Beta is based on the denial of Agglomeration. The defender of the modal argument has two ways to block counterexamples to Beta: (i) use a notion of inability to act otherwise which is immune to the counterexample to agglomerativity; (ii) replace Beta with a logically stronger principle Beta 2. I argue that the second strategy fails because the strengthened principle and Agglomeration together entail Beta. So this strategy makes sense only if Beta 2 is applied without Agglomeration. But if Beta 2 is used without Agglomeration, then the incompatibilist will undercut the rationale for the premise of his argument. I illustrate this point with the analysis of Warfield (1996) and his use of Beta 2 in the so called direct argument for incompatibilism.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blum, A. 2000: “‘N’,” Analysis 60: 284–286.
Carlson, E. 2000: “Incompatibilism and the Transfer of Power Necessity,” Nous 34, 277–290.
Chellas, B. 1980: Modal Logic: an Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Finch, A. and Warfield, T. A. 1998: “The Mind argument and libertarianism,” Mind 107: 515–28.
Fischer, J. M. 1994: The Metaphysics of Free Will, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Kapitan, T. 2002: “A Master Argument for Incompatibilism?” in Kane, R. (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Free Will, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lewis, D. 2000: “Evil for Freedom’s Sake?” in Papers in ethics and social philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 101–127.
McKay, T. and Johnson, D. 1996: “A reconsideration of an argument against compatibilism,” Philosophical Topics 24: 113–22.
Nelkin, D. K. and Rickless, S. C. 2001: “How to solve Blum’s paradox,” Analysis 61, 91–94.
O’Connor, T. 2000: Persons and Causes, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ravizza, M. 1994: “Semi-Compatibilism and the Transfer of Nonresponsibility,” Philosophical Studies 75: 61–93.
Slote, M. 1982: “Selective Necessity and the Free-Will Problem,” The Journal of Philosophy 79: 5–24.
Stump, E. and Fischer, J. M. 2000: “Transfer Principles and Moral Responsibility,” Philosophical Perspectives 14: 47–55.
Van Inwagen, P. 1983: An Essay on Free Will. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Warfield, T. 1996: “Determinism and Moral Responsibility are Incompatible,” Philosophical Topics 24: 215–226.
Widerker, D. 1987: “On an Argument for Incompatibilism,” Analysis 47: 37–41.
Widerker, D. 2002: “Farewell to the Direct Argument,” The Journal of Philosophy 99: 316–324.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
šuster, D. Incompatibilism and the logic of transfer. Acta Anal 19, 45–54 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12136-004-1011-x
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12136-004-1011-x