MIND, FREE WILL AND NONREDUCTIVE PHYSICALISM A Study of Nancey Murphy's Proposal

NonReductive Physicalism has become popular among Philosophers of Mind. Many see it as a plausible way to resolve age-old questions surrounding Man, Mind and Matter. This book presents a study of NonReductive Physicalism viewed through one of her chief exponents, Nancey Claire Murphy. Key concepts for the NonReductive Physicalist such as Emergence, Supervenience and Downward Causation are studied in detail. A chapter is dedicated to each of these concepts wherein effort is made at tracing its history and origin, Prof. Murphy's specific use of the concept is studied and an overview of contemporary opinion (for and against) the NonReductive Physicalist use of each concept is included. Each chapter ends with a dialogue “across centuries” set-up by bringing classic Aristotelian principles to bear on the contemporary debate. Confronting contemporary with ancient doctrine in this way, the hope is to open doors to constructive criticism and a ‘cross-fertilization’ of ideas.