Elucidations Episode 108: Mariam Thalos discusses freedom
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Sep 15, 2018 Mariam Thalos, a philosophy professor at the University of Utah, dives into the intricacies of freedom and self-identity. She argues that true freedom lies in our ability to define the labels we create for ourselves, challenging conventional beliefs about choice and autonomy. Topics include the paradox of freedom where inner regulation trumps mere absence of constraints, and the relationship between self-conception and civic engagement. Thalos also examines societal influences on identity, showcasing the transformative potential of reshaping personal ideals.
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Freedom Is Rooted In Pre-Action Reasoning
- Freedom concerns distinctive reasoning about oneself that shapes actions before the moment of choice.
- Free actions are tied to the deliberative process that constructs and regulates self-conception.
Self-Conception Regulates Future Behavior
- Self-conception is a set of self-applied attributes that regulate future behavior.
- Reasoning about these attributes primes you to act in ways consistent with that self-image.
Steele's Civic Priming Experiment
- Claude Steele's experiment primed civic-minded subjects by calling them uncivic, which increased later volunteerism.
- The insult activated their self-conception and motivated them to restore their civic identity.