Freedom, Teleology, and Evil

(Paperback, NIPPOD)

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In Freedom, Teleology, and Evil Stewart Goetz defends the existence of libertarian freedom of the will. He argues that choices are essentially uncaused events with teleological explanations in the form of reasons or purposes. Because choices are uncaused events with teleological explanations, whenever agents choose they are free to choose otherwise. Given this freedom to choose otherwise, agents are morally responsible for how they choose. Thus, Goetz advocates and defends the principle of alternative possibilities which states that agents are morally responsible for a choice only if they are free to choose otherwise. Finally, given that agents have libertarian freedom, Goetz contends that this freedom is integral to the construction of a theodicy which explains why God allows evil.

Reviews

This book provides not only a sustained presentation of one non-causal libertarian view, but also a detailed engagement with objections to it, and an excellent introduction to a substantial body of the current literature on the topic of free will. It makes a significant contribution to that literature and would make an excellent text for a graduate seminar. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
In Freedom, Teleology, and Evil, Goetz provides a compelling defence of the position, demonstrating that it is worthy of deeper philosophical attention than it generally receives. -- Nadine Elzein, University of Southampton, UK * Mind *
Stewart Goetz's Freedom, Teleology, and Evil is an impressive defense of a non-causal libertarian view of free will ... Goetz's book is a formidable challenge to these tendencies and worthy of attention by all those interested in free will. -- Kevin Timpe, St. Peter's College, University of Oxford * European Journal of Philosophy of Religion *
Both familiarizes readers with currant philosophical debates and provides a defense of an original theory with which they can profitably engage ... a good choice for graduate seminars as well as scholars in the field. * Journal of Religious Studies *
Goetz's book Freedom, Teleology, and Evil is highly original and, indeed, unique in that it is a systematic defense of a non-causal approach to agency, including free will and moral responsibility. The critical arguments are probing, and Goetz's positive suggestions are provocative and important. I highly recommend this book. -- John Martin Fischer, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Riverside
Goetz's remarkable book Freedom, Teleology, and Evil fills a much-needed gap in the contemporary discussion of the metaphysics of human freedom ... His position is presented with great clarity and precision, and difficulties alleged to bedevil the theory are met head-on. The extension of the view into theological issues in the final chapter is also much to be applauded. Many libertarians (including this one) may still have reservations regarding the noncausal approach even after reading this impressive book, but few will (or at least should) still doubt that it is an option worthy of libertarians' most serious consideration. -- Thomas Flint, Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Stewart Goetz skillfully develops a highly significant position on free will and moral responsibility ... This book will be valuable to anyone interested in the problem of free will, and especially to those attracted to exploring new possibilities for libertarian views of agency. -- Derk Pereboom, Professor of Philosophy, Cornell University

Author Bio

Stewart Goetz is Ross Frederick Wicks Distinguished Professor in Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College, PA, USA. He is co-author with Charles Taliaferro of Naturalism (Eerdmans, 2008) and A Brief History of the Soul (Blackwell, 2011). He serves on the board of directors for Blackwell's Philosophy Compass.