Join us for a fascinating evening of learning and discussion as we explore different sides of the 'free will' debate.
This event will feature talks from Dr Jussi Suikkanen and Dr Ali-Reza Bhojani, and live music from Andrey Fjeldstad from the Birmingham Royal Conservatoire.
The assumption that we have free will is an integral part of our way of life. It matters a great deal, for example, in the way that we hold each other responsible for the things that we do. When we blame others for their actions, we assume that they were able to choose between several options and that it was up to them which one they chose. Recently, however, many philosophers have been sceptical about free will. They argue that either ‘determinism’ is true in which case we lack alternative possibilities, or ‘indeterminism’ is true in which case our actions are no longer up to us.
In this event, Dr Jussi Suikkanen will clarify some of the key concepts in the free will debate and lay out the key arguments for us to consider in group discussion. We will also hear from Dr Ali-Reza Bhojani, who will introduce a variety of philosophical responses from within the Islamic tradition and their implications for contemporary questions around ethics.
If you missed the event do now worry. Catch up on the talks on our YouTube Channel.
If you are interested in further reading, check out our newsletter about the event.