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Pamela Hieronymi / Problems in life and a problem in theory

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Pamela Hieronymi / Problems in life and a problem in theory

Philosophy Friday, October 31, 2025 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

At 2:00pm on Halloween, we welcome Pamela Hieronymi from UCLA, who will be giving our colloquium talk, on the topic of "Problems in life and a problem in theory."

I divide concerns about free will into two: “Problems in life” include hinderances to, interferences with, and constraints on thought or action, as well as damage to, or defect in, our capacity to think and act.  Problems in life can always, in principle, be avoided—by avoiding the hinderance, etc.  In contrast, a “problem in theory” arises when we explain the ordinary operation of our agency.  When we do, we seem unfree.  However, we cannot avoid that which explains our actions.  While problems in life can be evaded, this problem in theory must be understood.  I argue that this apparent problem with explanation owes its recalcitrance to a different, underlying problem about control.  We wrongly assume we must control our own willing in the same way we control our actions.  This leads us to conclude that we do not “really” control anything—we enjoy only the control of a thermostat.  This underlying problem can be accepted, accepting that we enjoy only the control of a thermostat; it can be avoided, by appeal to in-principle mystery; or it can be unwound, by providing ourselves with a broader notion of control.  I will close by briefly sketching such a notion.

Add to Calendar 10/31/25 14:00:00 10/31/25 16:00:00 America/New_York Pamela Hieronymi / Problems in life and a problem in theory

At 2:00pm on Halloween, we welcome Pamela Hieronymi from UCLA, who will be giving our colloquium talk, on the topic of "Problems in life and a problem in theory."

I divide concerns about free will into two: “Problems in life” include hinderances to, interferences with, and constraints on thought or action, as well as damage to, or defect in, our capacity to think and act.  Problems in life can always, in principle, be avoided—by avoiding the hinderance, etc.  In contrast, a “problem in theory” arises when we explain the ordinary operation of our agency.  When we do, we seem unfree.  However, we cannot avoid that which explains our actions.  While problems in life can be evaded, this problem in theory must be understood.  I argue that this apparent problem with explanation owes its recalcitrance to a different, underlying problem about control.  We wrongly assume we must control our own willing in the same way we control our actions.  This leads us to conclude that we do not “really” control anything—we enjoy only the control of a thermostat.  This underlying problem can be accepted, accepting that we enjoy only the control of a thermostat; it can be avoided, by appeal to in-principle mystery; or it can be unwound, by providing ourselves with a broader notion of control.  I will close by briefly sketching such a notion.

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