Episode 120: A History of “Will” with Guest Eva Brann (Part One)

Summary: We discuss Un-Willing: An Inquiry into the Rise of Will'’s Power and an Attempt to Undo It (2014) with the author, covering Socrates, Augustine, Aquinas, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Sartre, compatibilism, the neurologists' critque of free will, and more.<br> What is the will? Is it an obvious thing that we all can see in ourselves when introspecting? If so, then why is there so much disagreement in the literature about what it is? (e.g., Is it a causal force or just an epiphenomenon? Is it opposed to desire or the expression of desire? Is it an expression of individuality or is it a trans-personal force à la <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2015/04/27/episode-114-schopenhauer-the-world-is-will-citizen-edition/" target="_blank">Schopenhauer</a>?)<br> Eva (whom you may recall from our <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2013/07/15/ep79-heraclitus/" target="_blank">Heraclitus episode</a>) thinks that the notion is a historical artificat that causes needless philosophical confusion, and worse, has had a damaging effect on our culture. <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2015/07/24/topic120-brann-will/" target="_blank">Read more about the topic and get the book</a>.<br> Listen to <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2015/08/03/ep120-a-history-of-will-with-guest-eva-brann-part-two/" target="_blank">part two</a>, or get it <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2015/07/25/ep120-brann-citizen/" target="_blank">sans advertisements</a> by <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/membership-options/" target="_blank">becoming a PEL Citizen</a>.<br> Please <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/shopdonate/" target="_blank">consider a donation</a> and/or use our Amazon banner to do your shopping, which will kick us back some cash.<br> Sponsors: <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/sjcgi">St. John's College Graduate Institute</a> and <a href="http://www.pauldrybooks.com/pages/eva-brann" target="_blank">Paul Dry Books</a>. In honor of Eva's participation in this episode Paul Dry Books is offering 30% off your order plus free US shipping ($25 flat rate international).  Discounts may not show up when you're checking out but will be applied before your order is processed. Click on the link above or banner below.<br> <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/sjcgi"></a><a href="http://www.pauldrybooks.com/pages/eva-brann" target="_blank"></a><br>