Alfred Remen Mele is an American philosopher and the William H. and Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University. He is also the past Director of the Philosophy and Science of Self-Control Project (2014-2017) and the Big Questions in Free Will Project (2010-2013). Mele is the author of thirteen books and over 250 articles.
Mele attended Wayne State University and received his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Michigan in 1979. He taught at Davidson College from 1979 until 2000, when he took up his present position at Florida State University.
Mele specializes in the philosophy of mind and action. While not taking a stand on the question whether free will is or is not compatible with determinism, Mele develops positive conceptions of how free will may be implemented from both “compatibilist” and “incompatibilist” perspectives. He also has argued that claims that scientists have proved that free will is an illusion are not credible. Mele is also known for his development of a causal theory of how intentional actions are produced and for his deflationary view of self-deception.
Episodes
Topic Series
Books
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Free Will: An Opinionated Guide Buy the Book
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Manipulated Agents: A Window to Moral Responsibility Buy the Book
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Aspects of Agency: Decisions, Abilities, Explanations, and Free Will Buy the Book
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Backsliding: Understanding Weakness Of Will Buy the Book
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Effective Intentions: The Power of Conscious Will Buy the Book
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Free Will and Luck Buy the Book
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Free Will and Consciousness: How Might They Work? Buy the Book
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Self-Deception Unmasked Buy the Book
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The Philosophy of Action (Oxford Readings in Philosophy) Buy the Book
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Autonomous Agents: From Self-Control to Autonomy Buy the Book
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Motivation and Agency Buy the Book
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