Abstract
The Greek god Momus is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with human
beings because our state of mind cannot be readily discerned. It would
have been better, Momus thought, if we were born with a window into
our breast so that our mental states could be easily recognized. Developments
in functional neuroimaging may be starting to provide the kind of
window that Momus desired, for in certain contexts functional magnetic
resonance imaging data can provide useful clues to a person ’ s state of
mind. This chapter considers the implications of such developments for
questions concerning the nature of human freedom and autonomy.
beings because our state of mind cannot be readily discerned. It would
have been better, Momus thought, if we were born with a window into
our breast so that our mental states could be easily recognized. Developments
in functional neuroimaging may be starting to provide the kind of
window that Momus desired, for in certain contexts functional magnetic
resonance imaging data can provide useful clues to a person ’ s state of
mind. This chapter considers the implications of such developments for
questions concerning the nature of human freedom and autonomy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Free Will and Moral Responsibility |
| Editors | Walter Sinnott-Armstrong |
| Place of Publication | Massachusetts USA |
| Publisher | The MIT Press |
| Chapter | 4.1 |
| Pages | 177-182 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780262321471 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780262026680, 9780262525473 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
| Name | Moral Psychology |
|---|---|
| Publisher | The MIT Press |
| Volume | 4 |