Illusionism is a metaphysical theory about

free will Free will is generally understood as the capacity or ability of people to (a) choice, choose between different possible courses of Action (philosophy), action, (b) exercise control over their actions in a way that is necessary for moral respon ...

first propounded by professor

Saul Smilansky Saul Smilansky (; born 1961) is an Israeli philosopher and a Professor at the Department of Philosophy of the University of Haifa. He is known for his works on free will and applied ethics Applied ethics is the practical aspect of morality, m ...

of the

University of Haifa The University of Haifa (, ) is a public research university located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. Founded in 1963 as a branch of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Haifa received full academic accreditation as an inde ...

. Although there exists a theory of consciousness bearing the same name (

illusionism Illusionism in art history means either the artistic tradition in which artists create a work of art that appears to share the physical space with the viewer"Illusionism," ''Grove Art Online''. Oxford University Press, ccessed 17 March 2008 or ...

), the two theories are concerned with different subjects.

Definition

Illusionism as discussed here, holds that people have illusory beliefs about

. Furthermore, it holds that it is both of key importance and morally right that people not be disabused of these beliefs, because the illusion has benefits both to individuals and to society. Belief in

hard incompatibilism Incompatibilism is the view that the thesis of determinism is logically incompatible with the classical thesis of free will. The term was coined in the 1960s, most likely by philosopher Keith Lehrer. The term ''compatibilism'' was coined (also by ...

, argues Smilansky, removes an individual's basis for a sense of self-worth in his or her own achievements. It is "extremely damaging to our view of ourselves, to our sense of achievement, worth, and self-respect". Neither compatibilism nor hard determinism are the whole story, according to Smilansky, and there exists an ''ultimate perspective'' in which ''some'' parts of compatibilism are valid and ''some'' parts of hard determinism are valid. However, Smilansky asserts, the nature of what he terms the ''fundamental dualism'' between hard determinism and compatibilism is a morally undesirable one, in that both beliefs, in their absolute forms, have adverse consequences. The distinctions between choice and luck made by compatibilism are important, but wholly undermined by hard determinism. But, conversely, hard determinism undermines the morally important notions of justice and respect, leaving them nothing more than "shallow" notions.

Critical reception

Smilansky's thesis is considered a radical one, and other philosophers disagree with it. Professor

Derk Pereboom Derk Pereboom (born 1957) is the Susan Linn Sage Professor in Philosophy and Ethics at Cornell University. He specializes in free will and moral responsibility, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and the work of Immanuel Kant. Life and ...

of Cornell University, for example, denies that hard incompatibilism necessarily does away with self-worth, because to a large extent that sense of self-worth isn't related to will at all, let alone to free will. Aspects of worthiness such as natural beauty, native physical ability, and intelligence are not voluntary. However, since Immanuel Kant's Preface to the Metaphysics of Morals that beauty, strength, political power, fame, intelligence, and charisma are the absolute worst characteristics if the individuals who have any or all of them are villains. Moreover, it is a basic and common assumption that villains are never worthy of happiness, for instance.

James Lenman James W. Lenman is a British philosopher and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. He is known for his expertise on ethics Ethics is the philosophy, philosophical study of Morality, moral phenomena. Also called moral philo ...

takes a similar line, arguing that Smilansky's expression of the problems is overstated. The problems that he presents are less fundamentally metaphysical than simply practical in nature.

References

Reference bibliography

* * * *

Definition

Critical reception

References

Reference bibliography

Further reading