Self-Determination: The Ethics of Action

Thomas Pink offers a new approach to the problem of free will, arguing that what matters to morality is not the freedom to do otherwise, but a basic capacity or power to determine for ourselves what we do. This capacity might or might not take the form of a freedom to act in more than one way, and it might or might not be compatible with causal determinism.

At the heart of moral responsibility, Pink suggests, is a distinctive form of power that is quite unlike ordinary causation - a power by which we determine outcomes in a way quite differently from the way ordinary causes determine outcomes. This power is involved in action, and the nature of action permits the operation of such a power to determine it.

The question of whether we have control of how we act, and whether it matters to morality whether we do, is central to Pink's argument. He contends that what really matters to morality is that it is we who determine what we do, and that what we do must not simply be a function of powers or capacities for which we are not responsible, or a matter of mere chance.

Pink's approach to the problem of free will is distinct from the traditional debate between compatibilists and incompatibilists. He argues that the freedom to do otherwise is not the crucial factor in moral responsibility, but rather the capacity to determine our own actions. This capacity might be compatible with causal determinism, or it might not, but what matters is that it is a power that is uniquely our own.

In examining the nature of this power and how it is involved in action, Pink provides a fresh perspective on the long-standing debate over free will and moral responsibility. His analysis challenges the conventional wisdom and offers a new way of thinking about these fundamental issues.

Overall, Thomas Pink's exploration of the problem of free will and its implications for morality is a thought-provoking and insightful contribution to the field. His unique approach and careful reasoning make for a compelling and engaging read, and his conclusions have the potential to significantly influence the ongoing dialogue on this crucial philosophical question.

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