Q&A: The Science of Freedom, Problem No. 2 of Compatibilism
The Science of Freedom, Problem No. 2 of Compatibilism
Question
Hello Rabbi, on page 47 of the book the Rabbi writes that compatibilism does not answer the first of the three requirements presented (on page 40). It seems to me that it doesn't answer the second problem, right? It looks like there's an error here that It should be corrected in the next edition..
Answer
No. It is the first requirement: that both possibilities be open, meaning that we can decide on either one of them. The second requirement is that each of them, if we decide on it, be within our ability, and that does hold in compatibilism.
Discussion on Answer
The course is an example. In the usual cases, the existence of the two possibilities means their accessibility to the person.
So I didn't understand – can the Rabbi give an example of a situation in which the first requirement holds and the second does not?
When one can decide but cannot carry it out. It's hard for me to discuss such edge cases.
The first requirement (at least according to how it's phrased in the book) speaks about both possibilities existing. As the Rabbi brought later on – is there a history course, or is there no history course. This requirement is (apparently) not affected by the person's state, and would not be different between Reuven and Shimon – unlike what the Rabbi wrote – that it does not exist for the person.