Andrew Cullison

Attention all philosophers - be careful when you teach your students about freewill. You may end up with a classroom full of cheaters. A recent article in Psychological Science argues that when students believe that they do not have freewill, they are more likely to cheat. In one of the studies students were given literature [...]

Filed under: metaphysics, philosophy by Andrew Cullison
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If you’re like me and interested in philosophy of time, you may have thought this article which is titled “You Can’t Travel Back in Time, Scientists Say” might involve some recent research that shows that time travel (contrary to what we think now) is incompatible with the current laws of physics. It doesn’t. It basically [...]

Filed under: metaphysics by Andrew Cullison
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In a previous post I presented an argument from Jubien aimed at direct reference theory that relied on mereological essentialism. Here is the post. Below is the argument again so you don’t have to click away. Michael Jubien’s Argument Against Direct Reference If Direct Reference theory is true, then ‘Venus’ in ‘Venus could have had [...]

Filed under: metaphysics, philosophy, philosophy of language by Andrew Cullison
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Neil Levy (over at Garden of the Forking Paths) just pointed out a pretty interesting study that may be of interest to philosophers interested in freewill. The short version: A group of scientists have some confirmation of the hypothesis that the neural activity correlated with conscious decisions happens a full 7 seconds before the conscious [...]

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In the comments from this post - Joshua writes: Google images has taught me that I have several false views. Here are some questions that I asked and my interpretation of the answers: Q: Is endurantism or perdurantism true?A: Perdurantism Q: Is the pointy view of simples true?A: Yes Q: Is there a God?A: Yes [...]

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This might be a stronger way to frame the argument for freewill and eternalism incompatibilism. It’s more difficult to dismantle than the argument I presented here. First let’s do a warm-up exercise. Here’s an argument for Incompatibilism. An Argument For Incompatibilism If determinism is true, then facts outside of your control entail your actions. If [...]

Filed under: metaphysics, philosophy by Andrew Cullison
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This seems like a very quick and hasty objection to direct reference theory from Michael Jubien, but it’s interesting. Direct Reference Theory recall is the thesis that the meaning of a name is the thing to which it refers (and nothing more). From the present perspective [direct reference] cannot be right. It is an indisputable [...]

Filed under: metaphysics, philosophy, philosophy of language by Andrew Cullison
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Calling all metaphysicians! Would you like a simplified explanation of the multiverse interpretation of quantum mechanics? Would you like it to be presented to you using Super Mario World? Well, look no further. Interesting Philosophical ApplicationsMetaphysical ModalitySome people think that the parallel universes in the multiverse hypothesis could play the role of Lewisian Possible Worlds. [...]

Filed under: fun, metaphysics, philosophy, philosophy of religion by Andrew Cullison
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Thanks for the prodding in the previous post. Also, thanks to the anonymous comment with that list of readings. I knew there had to be literature on this. Here is a quick and dirty formulation of the argument that eternalism is incompatible with some robust conception of freewill. Three different people have given me something [...]

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I thought it was obvious that libertarian freedom was compatible with eternalism, but I’m starting to realize that this isn’t true across the board. Some colleagues here think that the two are likely incompatible. After talking with some folks at the Pacific APA, I discovered others who thought that the two are obviously incompatible. I [...]

Filed under: metaphysics, philosophy by Andrew Cullison
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