Reactive Attitudes: A New Solution for the Problem of Free Will

Throughout the history of thought, free will and determinism have sparked offheated and controversial philosophical debates. Changed in form due to time lapse and mankind’s developments, the long-helddebate still addresses the same questions. Opposing the traditional view that free will and determinism are in constant conflict, some philosophers have put forward the idea that they are compatible. Among them, one can refer to P. F. Strawson who is also known for formulating the idea of reactive attitudes. In his groundbreaking work,Freedom and Resentment, he seeks to focus on reactive attitudes of mankind in his daily life. Stemming from mankind’s nature and representing his need for respect and goodwill, these attitudes are inseparable from his interactions and form an adequate basis for holding others responsible. This paper seeks to shed some light on Strawson’s approach to free will and determinism.