Customer Reviews

The Consequences of Determinism: A Theory of Determinism, Volume 2 (Theory of Determinism Series)

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Honderich does a nice job of arguing for an understanding of the determinism "problem" that accounts for its persistence and points a way "out." He argues that both compatibilists and incompatibilists made the mistake of arguing that everyone really, deep down inside, if they were just to think about it long enough, shares a common view about origination, about whether or not we are uncaused causes. Each concludes that the other side has made a blunder by failing to see that commonality. Honderich argues that we, however, really partake in both attitudes. The attitude that involves origination involves beliefs and grounds that conflict with the truth of a determinism so Honderich then explores what we lose, what we can and cannot persist in, once we recognize these conflicts. A very subtle treatment, to which I cannot do justice in this space. Worth a look from anyone interested in determinism and free will.