Date of Award
Fall 12-13-2012
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Philosophy
First Advisor
Dr. Eddy Nahmias
Second Advisor
Dr. Eric Wilson
Third Advisor
Dr. Dan Weiskopf
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Christie Hartley
Abstract
In his early work, Frankfurt conceives of the will as a set of hierarchically organized desires. I argue that the hierarchical model fails to provide an adequate account of free will because it does not render the will determinate. In Frankfurt’s later work, he contends that love establishes the boundaries of the will by giving rise to a volitional necessity. I take this to suggest that the notion of love is introduced, in part, to eliminate the problematic indeterminacy implied by the hierarchical model. However, I argue that the necessities of love may be understood in two importantly different ways, and on either interpretation of Frankfurt’s considered view, love does not provide the resources to account for the phenomenon of betrayal of love. I conclude that the introduction of love does not render the will determinate, and therefore fails to resolve a problem that beset the hierarchical model of the will.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/3561730
Recommended Citation
Murphy, Shawn M., "Betrayal of Love and Volitional Necessity." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2012.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/3561730