• Korean Journal of Logic
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.233-251
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• 2019

In this paper, I raise objections to Sungsu Kim's argument that Sartorio's hard-line reply to the manipulation argument fails. In attacking Sartorio's argument, Sungsu Kim claims that there are two problems with Sartorio's. I argue that Sungsu Kim's argument fails by responding to these two problems. With respect to the first problem, I provide a new example of dilution of responsibility. With respect to the second problem, I argue that, contrary to what Sungsu Kim assumes, for Sartorio's argument to succeed, our intuition that Ernie is responsible in the Lightning Strike Scenario does not have to be as strong as our intuition that Ernie is not responsible in the Diana scenario.

• Korean Journal of Logic
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.21-67
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• 2017

In this paper, I critically examine Sartorio's (2006) argument for disjunctive cause, and put forth disjunctive causal structure in a different way. I show that the disjunctive causal structure meets not just what Sartorio means to claim but also our understanding of causal responsibility. First, I introduce Sartorio's argument for disjunctive cause. Second, I critically discuss Sartorio's responses to the criticisms of her arguments for disjunctive cause, and propose another problem with her arguments. Finally, I explicate in a different way Sartorio's disjunctive cause in terms of disjunctive causal structure founded on moderate variables, causal interaction, and probability trajectory. I notice, regarding the disjunctive causal structure, the role of causal interaction of cause events with moderate variables. I reveal, regarding the disjunctive causal structure, the significance of indetermination of cause events and effect events for our understanding of causal responsibility. I show that the disjunctive causal structure guides us more convincingly to assign causal responsibility to an agent. I come to three conclusions. First, there is no disjunctive cause event Sartorio argues for. Second, propensities of events to be causally connected to an effect event constitute disjunctive relation. Third, we should notice indetermination of cause events and effect events while assigning causal responsibility to an agent.

• Korean Journal of Logic
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.373-393
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• 2018

Manipulation arguments purport to show that source freedom is incompatible with determinism. According to manipulation arguments, (1) intuitively, an agent manipulated in a certain manner to do A is not free, and (2) there is no significant difference between manipulation and determination. It follows that an agent determined to do A is not free. A compatibilist hard-line reply ('HR') denies (1), whereas a soft-line reply ('SR') denies (2). HR, which is arguably compatibilists' favorite, is assessed from the 'neutral stance.' HR turns out to fall short of adequately rejecting manipulation arguments. Recently Sartorio defends HR by claiming that (1) commits some sort of psychological fallacy. I argue that it does not work. I claim that SR is more promising. I examine the difference between intentional manipulation by design and ordinary determination. I argue that this difference suggests some determination scenario without intentional manipulation to which SR and manipulation arguments make different predictions, and that SR is better supported. Finally, incompatibilist objections are considered and replied.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2023

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important crops in human food production. The occurrence of diseases, such as white mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can limit the production of this legume. The use of Trichoderma has become an important strategy in the suppression of this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Trichoderma azevedoi CEN1241 in five different growth periods on the severity of white mold in common bean. The in vitro assays were carried out in double-plate and split-plate, and the in vivo assays, through the exposure of the mycelia of S. sclerotiorum to the VOCs of T. azevedoi CEN1241 and subsequent inoculation in bean plants. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detected 37 VOCs produced by T. azevedoi CEN1241, covering six major chemical classes. The profile of VOCs produced by T. azevedoi CEN1241 varied according to colony age and was shown to be related to the ability of the biocontrol agent to suppress S. sclerotiorum. T. azevedoi CEN1241 VOCs reduced the size of S. sclerotiorum lesions on bean fragments in vitro and reduced disease severity in a greenhouse. This study demonstrated in a more applied way that the mechanism of antibiosis through the production of volatile compounds exerted by Trichoderma can complement other mechanisms, such as parasitism and competition, thus contributing to a better efficiency in the control of white mold in bean plants.