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The Free Will Show

Taylor Cyr and Matt Flummer
Free Will
Philosophy Of Religion
Moral Responsibility
Responsibility
Divine Freedom
John Duns Scotus
Agency
Philosophy
Law
Christian Theology
Human Free Will
Time Travel
Criminal Law
Petitionary Prayer
Theology Of Religion
Contingency
Medieval Philosophy
Determinism
Moral Psychology
Eternalism

Do any of us really have free will? What does it mean to have free will, anyway? Is free will compatible with determinism? Hasn’t science disproved free will? How could we have free will if God exists and foreknows everything that we will ever do? The Free Will Show provides a beginner-friendly introduction to the topic of free will while at the same time exposing listeners to cutting-edge develop... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes115Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophyEducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Free Will Show

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we talk with Thomas Williams about John Duns Scotus and his views on free will and how they differ from Anselm's and Aquinas's views.

Thomas's website: www.profthomaswilliams.com/

Thomas's chapter on Scotus's views of free ... more

In this episode, we talk with Harm Goris about Thomas Aquinas’s views of free will and human agency.

Harm's website: tilburguniversity.academia.edu/HarmGoris

Harm's chapter on Aquinas can be found in the Routledge Companion to Free Will.

T... more

In this episode, we talk with Sandra Visser about Anselm of Canterbury and his views on human and divine freedom.

Sandra's website: hope.edu/directory/people/visser-sandra/index.html

Sandra's chapter on Anselm in the Routledge Companion to ... more

In this episode, we talk with Jon McGinnis about Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) and his views about divine and human agency.

Jon's website: www.medieval.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/jon-mcginnis

Jon's book, Avicenna: global.oup.c... more

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Recent Guests

Thomas Williams
Isabelle A and Henry D. Martin Professor of Medieval Philosophy at Georgetown University, expert on Medieval Philosophy and Theology, focusing on figures like Augustine, Aquinas and Duns Scotus.
Georgetown University
Episode: Episode 110: John Duns Scotus with Thomas Williams
Harm Goris
Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Tilburg University
Tilburg University
Episode: Episode 109: Thomas Aquinas with Harm Goris
Sandra Visser
Professor of Philosophy at Hope College with a focus on Anselm of Canterbury.
Hope College
Episode: Episode 108: Anselm of Canterbury with Sandra Visser
Jon McGinnis
Professor of Philosophy at the Center for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Episode: Episode 107: Ibn Sīnā with Jon McGinnis
John Marenbon
A senior research fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, and an expert on medieval philosophy and Boethius.
Trinity College, Cambridge
Episode: Episode 106: Boethius with John Marenbon
Jesse Couenhoven
Professor of Moral Theology at Villanova University, author of several works on Augustine and free will.
Villanova University
Episode: Episode 105: Augustine of Hippo with Jesse Couenhoven
Anna Viatkina
Postdoc in theoretical atomic physics with interest in philosophy; author of 'The Will for Good, Asymmetric Theories of Freedom and Moral Responsibility'.
Technical University of Braunschweig
Episode: Episode 104: Plotinus with Anna Viatkina
Tim O'Keefe
Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University, specializing in ancient philosophy and free will
Georgia State University
Episode: Episode 103: Epicureanism and Stoicism with Tim O'Keefe
Susan Sauvé Meyer
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania specializing in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy with a focus on ethics and politics.
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Episode 102: Aristotle with Susan Sauvé Meyer

Hosts

Taylor Cyr
Co-host and philosopher with expertise in free will and moral philosophy.
Matt Flummer
Co-host and philosopher specializing in free will, ethics, and moral philosophy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • Mr Barry

    A wonderful education in an area I’m interested in.

    Very thorough with views from all the experts.

    A great way to learn. Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Young Bazz
    Australia2 years ago
  • Awesome Show

    Really love this podcast. I was more of a theology geek before finding it, but since listening I’ve developed a real interest in philosophy. They have great guests to discuss difficult topics. Subjects are always very interesting. Would highly recommend the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1983AuburnTiger
    United States2 years ago
  • Parker’s Pensées

    This podcast is amazing! I love Taylor and Matt. They are first rate philosophers of free will in their own right as well as philosophy professors. They get amazing guests on and they ask so many of the questions that I want to ask them as well as the questions I’m too dumb to think of. I highly recommend this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Handsome Brother
    United States4 years ago
  • Brilliant Podcast

    An amazing podcast with 2 brilliant scholars working in the field of free will.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lucas Hondros
    United States4 years ago
  • Brilliant show

    This is a brilliant show. The format is mainly that a different philosopher chats to the hosts every week on a different aspect of the philosophy of free will. Coming from a non-academic-philosophy background, the discussion is accessible enough to be understood, but also doesn’t “dumb down” the points and arguments, which is greatly appreciated (and often rare). I imagine though it’s equally as fascinating if you are in academia. Many of the issues discussed cut to the heart of problems we expe... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeonFuture
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the explorative nature of the episodes enriching for their understanding of free will and moral philosophy.
The blend of classic philosophical concepts with contemporary issues resonates well, making it not just educational but also relevant.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and the depth of knowledge from the hosts and guests.
Reviewers often highlight the accessibility of topics, appealing to both academic and general audiences alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 110: John Duns Scotus with Thomas Williams
Q: How do scholars interpret Scotus in light of this tension regarding the explanation of freedom?
Many scholars point out a tension between Scotus' claim that freedom is a brute fact and his earlier explanations for the will's freedom, suggesting he ultimately recognizes and resolves this conflict by asserting freedom's basis solely in the will.
Episode 110: John Duns Scotus with Thomas Williams
Q: Since this is important for understanding what Scotus says about the scope of the will's freedom, could you explain what he means in saying that rational powers are powers for opposites and how these differ from non-rational powers?
Scotus argues that the will is the only rational power genuinely open to opposites at the moment of choice, unlike the intellect which is not free at that moment due to its dependence on prior judgments.
Episode 110: John Duns Scotus with Thomas Williams
Q: What problem does Scotus see in Aquinas' view that makes him want to have a different conception of free will?
Scotus sees the problem of intellectual determinism in Aquinas' view, which restricts the freedom of the will and makes it dependent on the intellect's judgment.
Episode 109: Thomas Aquinas with Harm Goris
Q: Could you describe how intellect and will are related on Aquinas' view and how free will comes up with respect to debates about voluntarism and intellectualism?
Aquinas emphasizes that free choice involves both the intellect and the will, implying it's not solely random but rational.
Episode 109: Thomas Aquinas with Harm Goris
Q: How does Aquinas respond to the worry that divine foreknowledge precludes human free will?
Aquinas argues that while God has perfect foreknowledge, the future remains open and undetermined.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Free Will Show

What is The Free Will Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the nuanced concept of free will, this collection of episodes focuses on the philosophical implications and debates surrounding human agency. Topics range from the historical perspectives of influential philosophers such as Augustine and Aquinas to contemporary discussions about the intersections between free will, ethics, religion, and science. Each episode features distinguished academics who provide insights into their areas of expertise, making complex philosophical discussions accessible to a broad audience. The blend of expert interviews and friendly dialogue likely helps demystify critical philosophical issues, catering to both seasoned scholars and interested novices alike.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Free Will Show:

1. Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
2. Philosophy For Our Times
3. Philosophize This!
4. The Rest Is History
5. Data Over Dogma

How many episodes of The Free Will Show are there?

The Free Will Show launched 5 years ago and published 115 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Free Will Show?

Recent guests on The Free Will Show include:

1. Thomas Williams
2. Harm Goris
3. Sandra Visser
4. Jon McGinnis
5. John Marenbon
6. Jesse Couenhoven
7. Anna Viatkina
8. Tim O'Keefe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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