John Martin Fischer
Encyclopedia
John Martin Fischer is currently a distinguished professor
of philosophy
at the University of California Riverside. In June 2011, Professor Fischer was elected Vice-President of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association
. He will become President of the Pacific Division in 2013.
While his works centers primarily on free will
and moral responsibility, where he is particularly noted as a primary proponent of semi-compatibilism (the idea that regardless of whether free will and determinism
are compatible, moral responsibility and determinism are). He also has worked on the metaphysics of death and philosophy of religion.
He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford and his Ph.D. from Cornell.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the University of California Riverside. In June 2011, Professor Fischer was elected Vice-President of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association
American Philosophical Association
The American Philosophical Association is the main professional organization for philosophers in the United States. Founded in 1900, its mission is to promote the exchange of ideas among philosophers, to encourage creative and scholarly activity in philosophy, to facilitate the professional work...
. He will become President of the Pacific Division in 2013.
While his works centers primarily on free will
Free will
"To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long...
and moral responsibility, where he is particularly noted as a primary proponent of semi-compatibilism (the idea that regardless of whether free will and determinism
Determinism
Determinism is the general philosophical thesis that states that for everything that happens there are conditions such that, given them, nothing else could happen. There are many versions of this thesis. Each of them rests upon various alleged connections, and interdependencies of things and...
are compatible, moral responsibility and determinism are). He also has worked on the metaphysics of death and philosophy of religion.
He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford and his Ph.D. from Cornell.