Philosophy Research Seminar - Dr Emile Chan (Manchester)
| Dates: | 24 February 2021 |
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| Times: | 15:15 - 16:50 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
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This year we are running all of our research seminars online using Zoom. If you would like to attend, and are not included on our events mailing list, please email Dr Stephen Ingram to request the Zoom meeting details.
Seminars will take place on Wednesdays, and will run from 15.15-16.50, with a 5 minute break between the talk and the Q&A. The Zoom meeting will be available to join from 15.00.
Title: Sentimental Willpower: An Emotional Account of Synchronic Self-Control
Abstract: Seemingly, there are some conflicts between two ordinary perspectives. On the one hand, it seems psychologically possible for the agent to initiate the exercise of self-control. On the other hand, it seems right that the agent will always act in alignment with her strongest motivation at a particular moment. However, both intuitive thoughts look incompatible with each other if put together. If the agent’s strongest motivation is to indulge herself, how is the exercise of self-control possible? If the agent’s strongest motivation is to do what she ought to, controlling herself seems redundant. Therefore, the puzzle gives rise to a dilemma. As a solution to break both horns of the dilemma, the emotional theory holds that the agent’s controlling herself is psychologically possible because her strongest motivation is to do what she ought to. Still, the agent’s controlling herself is not redundant, since her strongest motivation is a combination of her weaker motivation to do what she ought to and the assistance of a justified emotion, which is exclusively a product of her intellectual virtues that reliably generate correct and proportionate emotions.
Travel and Contact Information
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This event will run online - contact Stephen Ingram for details on accessing the Zoom meeting.
