Dignity, free will, emergence, and illusion

Abstract

This paper argues that although emergentism does not appear to provide the libertarian with the tools she requires for metaphysical freedom, this does not actually matter for the grounding of a robust notion of moral responsibility. Moreover, illusionism about metaphysical freedom offers some consolation to those who see metaphysical freedom as a source of human dignity and value. This paper argues that emergentism, even in its weak form, when buttressed by both philosophical and psychological considerations regarding the illusory nature of the phenomenal experience of metaphysical freedom, as well as the Strawsonian notion of reactive attitudes, serves as a source not only of value and dignity, but also of a robustly grounded conception of moral responsibility.