The Church of Scotland invited a philosopher from the University of Edinburgh to explore scientific challenges to free will and moral responsibility.
Advances in neurosciences and social psychology have called into question the idea that people possess free will.
Recent work in neuroscience seems to show that the conscious self is nothing but an illusion and that our actions are really controlled by ‘zombie’, or unconscious, mechanisms.
If it is true that free will is an illusion, then this has serious implications for our standard ideas of moral responsibility. We typically assume we are free to choose our actions. However, if free will is an illusion, then the notion that a subject can be held morally responsible for their actions might also be an illusion.
Given this interpretation of recent developments in neuroscience, some organised religions have begun to investigate whether science and religion are compatible on the issue of free will. In particular, the Church of Scotland’s Society, Religion and Technology working group was researching this question in order to establish a set of recommendations.
It was through this that they became aware of the work of University of Edinburgh researcher Dr Tillman Vierkant.
Dr Vierkant has an international reputation for his research into the implications of contemporary neuroscience for the notions of free will and moral responsibility. For this reason, he was invited to join the Church’s working group.
Vierkant has produced internationally regarded research on the recent advances in neuroscience, particularly in relation to the topics of free will and moral responsibility. For many years, he has used this research to tackle public misperceptions of the neurosciences, including with regard to public policy and the law.
Vierkant came into contact with the policy officer of the Church of Scotland. On the basis of Vierkant’s research expertise, he was invited to join their Society, Religion and Technology working group.
In particular, the Church of Scotland asked him to advise the church on issues surrounding the importance of neuroscience for free will and moral responsibility.
Vierkant became a key member of this working group, and also participated in related activities. For example, he participated in the organisation of a Church of Scotland conference on the topic of neuroscience and ethics, entitled, ‘It Wasn't Me, It Was My Neurons’, which took place in 2011.
Vierkant was asked to write roughly half of the group's report, ‘Neurobiology, Free Will and Moral Responsibility’. He also helped formulate the report's recommendations to the Church of Scotland.
Vierkant played an important role in formulating two specific recommendations.
First, that the Church of Scotland should recognise that the implications of contemporary neuroscience for free will and moral responsibility are more complex than sometimes supposed.
Second, that the Church of Scotland should play an active and on-going role in exploring these implications. Vierkant's contribution to this report drew heavily on his research in this area.