Lecture Free Will and Determinism: Kant's Philosophical Take

Irmgard Scherer, Professor Emerita, Loyola University Maryland 

The apparent conflict between free will and scientific determinism is arguably the most intractable conundrum in all of philosophy. This conflict calls into question not only human authenticity and dignity, but also the very quality of human life itself. Moreover, at various points in history, both classical physics and modern science in general have challenged the possibility of freedom of choice. This not only puts into question our autonomy in making choices, good or bad, but also casts doubt on the legitimacy of demanding moral responsibility.

Tailored to a general audience, this talk will present the highlights of this problem, examining what is at stake and looking at some famous philosophical attempts to "save" freedom. Specifically, we will look at Kant (1724-1804) with a focus on his moral philosophy which exalts human freedom, insisting on the triumph of the human will over deterministic nature.  The talk will also compare Kant’s ideas with Spinoza’s Ethics (1677), a work that has been rediscovered by contemporary thinkers and neuroscientists for its insights into human emotions and hailed as a mature “science of psychology” (Antonio Damasio).

Irmgard Scherer is emerita professor of philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where she taught core and honors ethics courses as well as courses in her area, namely Kant and 18th-century aesthetic theory and topics in the history of science.  She has published extensively on Kant, critical philosophy and related topics. After her retirement in 2007, she took up teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) at George Mason and American University. More information about her life and work can be found on her homepage.

Organized by the American Goethe Society.

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