Elbow Room (Dennett book)
Elbow room, according to philosopher Daniel Dennett, is the amount of freedom or space an individual possesses when making decisions. Imagine you're in a crowded room, and you're trying to move around without bumping into anyone. Your elbow room is the space you have to move without colliding with others.
In the same way, when you're making a decision, you need elbow room to weigh options and narrow down the best course of action. This requires you to have knowledge of the possible outcomes, the ability to consider different perspectives, and the freedom to make choices without undue pressure or coercion from others.
Elbow room is critical when it comes to personal responsibility and accountability for our actions. If we don't have enough elbow room when making a decision, we may not be fully responsible for the outcome. For example, if someone is under duress or forced to do something against their will, they don't have enough elbow room to make a fully autonomous decision. Similarly, if someone doesn't have access to all the relevant information, they don't have enough elbow room to make a well-informed decision.
Overall, elbow room is essential for making decisions and taking responsibility for our actions. It involves having the knowledge, perspective, and freedom to make choices that align with our values and goals.
In the same way, when you're making a decision, you need elbow room to weigh options and narrow down the best course of action. This requires you to have knowledge of the possible outcomes, the ability to consider different perspectives, and the freedom to make choices without undue pressure or coercion from others.
Elbow room is critical when it comes to personal responsibility and accountability for our actions. If we don't have enough elbow room when making a decision, we may not be fully responsible for the outcome. For example, if someone is under duress or forced to do something against their will, they don't have enough elbow room to make a fully autonomous decision. Similarly, if someone doesn't have access to all the relevant information, they don't have enough elbow room to make a well-informed decision.
Overall, elbow room is essential for making decisions and taking responsibility for our actions. It involves having the knowledge, perspective, and freedom to make choices that align with our values and goals.