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A Stochastic Process Model for Free Agency under Indeterminism
Thomas Müller1, Hans J Briegel2
1Fachbereich Philosophie Universität Konstanz Fach 17 78457 Konstanz Germany.
Dialectica (Bern, Switzerland)
|March 2, 2019
Summary
Free agency is compatible with an indeterministic world, challenging the focus on determinism. This research demonstrates how indeterminism can support free agency through projective simulation models.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Metaphysics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The compatibility of free agency with determinism is widely debated.
- The relationship between free agency and indeterminism is less explored but crucial for understanding agency in our world.
- Current debates exhibit an asymmetry, overemphasizing determinism's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the compatibility of free agency with indeterminism.
- To address the under-discussed question of how indeterminism allows for free agency.
- To correct the asymmetry in the free will and determinism debate.
Main Methods:
- Explication of indeterminism and free agency concepts.
- Clarification of the link between free agency and free will.
- Development of a mathematically precise, physically motivated model: projective simulation.
- Modeling deliberation as an indeterministic process using projective simulation dynamics.
Main Results:
- An indeterministic world inherently allows for the existence of free agency.
- Projective simulation models indeterminism as a core resource for agency.
- Indeterministic deliberation processes can exemplify free agency.
- The study demonstrates the compatibility of free agency and indeterminism.
Conclusions:
- Free agency is not only compatible with indeterminism but can thrive within it.
- The findings challenge traditional views by highlighting indeterminism's positive role in agency.
- This research offers a new perspective on self-conception as free agents in an indeterministic universe.
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