Freedom, Responsibility, and Therapy
This book investigates the role of free will and responsibility in mental well-being, psychotherapy, and personality theory. Mounting evidence suggests that a belief in free will is associated with positive outcomes for human mental health and behaviours,
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Freedom, Responsibility, and Therapy
Vlad Beliavsky
Freedom, Responsibility, and Therapy
Vlad Beliavsky Psychology, Philosophy University of Warwick Coventry, UK
ISBN 978-3-030-41570-9 ISBN 978-3-030-41571-6 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41571-6 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover illustration: © Alex Linch shutterstock.com This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface
Free will is one of the most complex and long-term philosophical issues, and it is a significant theme for multiple disciplines. The assumption that people have free will underlies a vast scope of social practices, such as the system of justice, interpersonal relations, politics, economics, ethics, and religion. If it is proved that free will does not exist, this may overturn the world as we know it, entailing one of the biggest social reforms in history. Yet, little is known about the role of free will in our mental well-being. Suppose free will is an illusion. Can we still feel well if faced with this reality? Free will and responsibility also have direct relevance to psychotherapy. Any mental disorder can be characterized as a certain loss of freedom, whereas psychotherapy can be regarded as a tool for people to regain freedom in their agency and daily life. Furthermore, many of the issues that are discussed during psychotherapy have a moral nature. Some try to understand what the right thing would be to do or how to treat one’s unappealing urges. Still others seek help to cope with their intense moral feelings such as guilt shame or indignation. The question of moral respo
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