DEC 8

29: DEC 8

Assigned

• Let's use our last class to go over course resources on PP2 and reflect a bit on morality.
• Try to watch some of the prison videos, etc. and do your own searches (and send me links)

• Search results on prisons and punishment:

• See spreadsheet in Main Shared Folder.
• Also some here: Search results on prisons and punishment - FALL 2022 Ethics

• A couple to share now:

• The Atlantic, data visualization on incarceration of African Americans [1]
• Data visualization on mass incarceration. [2]
• "Comparing Prisons Around the World" Be Amazed. [3]

• Susan Blackmore, "Living Without Free Will" (recommended)

In-class

• Short talk, “From Ethics to Happiness: Turning up the Volume on Values"

Blackmore - Living Without Free Will

• Thesis: Free will is an unnecessary illusion that you might be better off getting over. SB grants that many find this an impossible view.

• Cites Wegner (2002): research suggesting that the feeling of agency ("I did it!") might be "post-hoc" attribution.

• ”Inner self is illusion.” Illusion can mean something that isn’t there or something that isn’t what it seems. SB means the latter.

• Blackmore agrees with Dennett's analysis (but thinks his book should be called "Choice Evolves"), but thinks FW is an illusion. Dennett says “free will worth having” is the kind he describes in Freedom Evolves.

• She considers two possibilities: "Living 'as if'" and "Rejecting the Illusion" - favors the latter.

• Living "as if"

• Wegner quote: "virtual agency" is part of a useful mental accounting system. But virtual agency is an illusion created by our brains.
• Patricia Churchland: It's a "user illusion" that you make an uninfluenced, self-conscious choice.
• "Illusionism" can be defended. If you believe bad consequences follow from giving it up....
• Criminal Justice system would be fairer without the illusion of FW. No retribution.

• Stronger position: You can't get rid of the illusion even if you wanted to. "I'm determined to believe in FW."

• "Rejecting the Illusion" -

• 166: "sitting by the fire" example
• William James - getting out of bed on cold morning. Analyze that feeling of "indecision".
• Blackmore 167: going out on a cold night. "...not because "i" made the decision of my own free will. It is because this is the decision that the whole universe came up with for this person under those circumstances."

• Thought experiment to her students: "But if I don't have free will why would I get up in the morning? Why would I do anything?" Go ahead. Try it!

• Blackmore thinks of consciousness more as events than a place in your head where things "enter into conscious awareness". Likewise, maybe, with free will. [Possible criticism: Just because it would be mistaken to believe in the homunculus, it doesn't mean that there are no neural processes that imitate some of it's less exotic functions (like updating us by making this conscious to us - "Oh right, I have a paper to write."). [Arguably, that’s your evolved, “user illusion” homunculus talking.]

• 169: Some of the exercises she asks her students to do. "Am I conscious now?" Sometimes primes them to be more conscious. (Related to mindfulness).

• Morality and Responsibility

• You might think that you would have more regrets giving up FW, but no.
• Wegner: knowing its an illusion gives him a sense of peace. “There are a whole lot of things that I don’t have to worry about controlling because I know that I’m just a little window on a lovely machines that’s doing lots of things.”

• Conversation with her Dad. Maybe FW (or belief in it) makes us "want to be good" (recall Henrich). But we’re not wicked, in general. (“I’m determined to improve the future!”). Her answer, 173: Ultimately we’re designed by evolution to benefit from being good.

• SB's point: All of your motivations to be good (self-interest, reputation, altruism) will still be there after you give up FW.

• Paying Attention

• In meditation, a great deal of "quieting the mind" is about getting the self to shut up so you can pay attention to the mind.

Small group

• Consider Susan Blackmore’s discussion. How far does her advice go for you?

• I’m holding out for Free Will. It doesn’t feel like a user illusion.
• I’ll do the “as if” (like Wegner). It’s a useful user illusion and it works better if you believe in it. Or, it would be dangerous to give up. Or both.
• Some of the benefits of “living without free will” look promising, but I’m not sure. CJ fairness. Appreciation of my nature. That we are designed to benefit from being good.
• Damn straight. I’m giving up free will today!

Concluding Course Comments

• Review of Major Ethics Course Questions

• Philosophical Method and Knowledge

• Finally, “How can I use my profound knowledge of morality to improve the world?” (Or, What can I do now that I couldn’t do (as well) 15 weeks ago?)

• Last reminder: What is Morality? What are Values? How are they enforced?

• Morality is about problems that can be addressed by values.
• Values are expectations of others to think, speak, feel, and act in particular ways (and sometimes to refrain from thinking, speaking, etc. in particular ways).
• We enforce values in social life by many means, from conversation about expectations, gossip about others’ behavior, and, of course, the justice system.

• In culture, values play out dynamically. Cooperation is not guaranteed. Compliance with social contracts is not guaranteed (US Jan 6. Today, Peru and Germany.). We have to speak up for values and show moral concern. Withdrawing from values talk weakens them.

• The Basic Evo-Morality question: What are (fitness) challenges that my country and the global face? (My list!)

• To the extent that values can help with those problems, how can I contribute?

• Ideology v Pragmatism about outcomes. (Mention just survey.). Focus on problem solving v ideology. Approach politics as “team of rivals” rather than “
• Use your knowledge about the persistence of difference (pol and moral orientation) to build cooperative relationships across differences. Avoid negative polarization and call it out. Tucker Carlson and Chris Hayes are not enlightened in this regard.
• On the interpersonal level - Turn up the volume on positive and reinforcing behaviors, not only with your friends and family. Go to the empathy gym. Model your value ideals.