b. 1932
Carl Ginet is an American analytic philosopher at Cornell University, best known for his contributions to epistemology and the philosophy of action. His non-causal theory of action, developed in 'On Action' (1990), argues that the mental character of a basic action is intrinsic and not constituted by its causal history. He has also made influential contributions to the incompatibilist debate over free will, arguing that determinism precludes the kind of control required for moral responsibility.
Developed a non-causal 'simple theory' of action in 'On Action' (1990)
Formulated influential arguments for incompatibilism about free will and determinism
Advanced the consequence argument connecting free will to the metaphysics of causation and ethics
Contributed to foundationalist epistemology and the analysis of knowledge
Helped establish the centrality of metaphysical commitments in free will debates