The main problem with the metaphysics of free will

There is a contradiction in our general picture of the world, brought about by the principle of causality and the metaphysical interpretation of the assertion that we are independent originators of our acts. In this paper, I consider various ways of removing that contradiction. The way that I regard as the best, however, requires the solving of a certain problem, namely, that it is necessary to account for the relationship between acts of thinking and the contents of thoughts, including between acts of deciding and the contents of reasons behind decisions. This is a difficult problem, but the problems generated by other ways of removing the contradiction are more difficult still.

Keywords: free will, causality, action, reasons, decisions, contents of thoughts, acts of thinking

Główny problem metafizyki wolnej woli

W naszym ogólnym obrazie świata występuje sprzeczność generowana przez zasadę przyczynowości i metafizyczną wykładnię twierdzenia, że jesteśmy niezależnymi sprawcami naszych działań. W artykule rozważam różne sposoby usunięcia tej sprzeczności. Sposób, który uważam za najlepszy, wymaga jednak rozwiązania pewnego problemu. Mianowicie należy opisać relację między treściami myśli a aktami myślenia, wśród nich – między treściami racji dla decyzji a aktami decydowania. To jest trudny problem, lecz problemy stwarzane przez inne sposoby usunięcia wspomnianej sprzeczności są jeszcze trudniejsze.

There is a contradiction in our general picture of the world, brought about by the principle of causality and the metaphysical interpretation of the assertion that we are independent originators of our acts. In this paper, I consider various ways of removing that contradiction. The way that I regard as the best, however, requires the solving of a certain problem, namely, that it is necessary to account for the relationship between acts of thinking and the contents of thoughts, including between acts of deciding and the contents of reasons behind decisions. This is a difficult problem, but the problems generated by other ways of removing the contradiction are more difficult still.