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

~ Ted Honderich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

`His discussion of the consequences of determinism ... [is] a quite outstanding contribution that deserves the widest readership.` Times Higher Education Supplement

`There has been nothing in the recent past to compare in audacity, scope and engagement with Ted Honderich's magnum opus ... The book works simultaneously at different levels: as an original contribution to timeless debates; as a comprehensive scholarly text book of contemporary work in progress; as a synoptic world view on a classic (but now unfashionable) scale; as an extended exercise in the difficult process of reflexive meta-philosophic commentary; and, perhaps most significantly, as the record of the personal odyssey of someone for whom philosophy has been a matter of life and death, with a tough-minded/tender-hearted message for fellow mortals.' Journal of Applied Science

`This big and important book resolutely and meticulously follows where the best in western science and philosophy lead.' Journal of Applied Science

`Ted Honderich has written the most important book on the subject of determinism to appear in recent decades.' Roy Weatherford

`Professor Honderich provides a treatise that is learned, logical and humane and may convince us that Determinism is both true and tolerable. In the process he provides a theory of the nature of minds and brains that helps us to solve many problems.' Professor J. Z. Young, Brain

'truly encyclopedic contribution to the controversy surrounding determinism ... his book is indispensable to anyone who is eager to become clear about the present power of determinism.' Ingmar Persson, Lund University, Theoria

'One can agree with much of what Honderich is saying here ... and ethicists and other philosophers will find a great deal that is interesting in his discussion of Spinoza, Hegel, and even Shelley ... I have no hesitancy in recommending A Theory of Determinism to anyone interested in the wide range of topics it considers.' Michael Slote, University of Maryland, The Philosophical Review, Vol. C, No. 4 (October 1991)

Product Description

In The Consequences of Determinism, originally Part Three of the single-volume hardback edition, Honderich poses the following question: if determinism is true, and free will an illusion, what are the consequences? Honderich maintains that both of the entrenched and traditional doctrines about the consequences of determinism, Compatibilism and Incompatibilism, are provably false, and formulates a new answer to the question.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 23, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198242832
• ISBN-13: 978-0198242833
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,754,184 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A unique take on the problems of determinism, April 29, 2000

By	Dustin Woehl (South Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.