Product Description

This is a fully revised, enlarged and up-to-date edition of Ted Honderich's modern classic 'How Free Are You? The Determinism Problem'. In the first four chapters, he sets out a determinist philosophy of mind, in response to the question 'Is there a really clear, consistent and complete version of determinism?' He also considers whether there is such an adequate version of the free will doctrine. He goes on to the question of whether determinism is refuted by Quantum Theory or anything else ... and then the question of what we are to conclude about our lives if it is true. The tradition of Incompatibilist philosophers says that if it is true we cannot be free and responsible. Compatibilist philosophers say we still can be. Ted Honderich rejects both traditions, and proposes an affirmative attitude to determinism ... before coming to new thoughts about the very nature of the problem. He offers a concise and lively introduction to the problem of determinism and freedom, as well as advancing the debate further in this fundamental part of the philosophy of mind and moral philosophy. Essential reading for philosophers and all others faced by the great problem.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #256429 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

Customer Reviews

A clear light shines into (almost) every murky corner.
Ted Honderich distills the experience of a much heftier, academic investigation - and his experience handling opinionated philosophy students - into a (relatively) light, accessible read.

Modern, secular thought contains an impossible contradiction. We believe in our own freedom, but at the same time deny that there are any forces beyond physics which might admit 'uncaused causes' - jargon for free choices, not predetermined by the circumstances in which they were taken. If we want to keep the physics - and Honderich gives us persuasive reasons to do so - then we have to accept that our freedom is largely an illusion, and make the appropriate adjustments to our ideas of, eg, moral responsibility.

For some of us that conclusion is nothing more than a resignation and a defeat - which is what makes this book both provocative and useful. Honderich's argument is clear, each step well-considered and tested for weakness. There is no ambiguity or sleight of hand - opponents of his conclusions may find themselves freed ( ... ) to identify which link in the determinist chain is the one that offends them. It's not a laugh-a-minute, but there are timely flashes of a profound, dry humour to see you through.

Compulsory reading for anyone interested in related topics, from libertarianism to jurisprudence.

The best argument against Free Will
I have read in the past many books and essays on free will, but none have been explained and argued as well as has been done by Ted Honderich in this book. Most people who approach this subject, come with 2 well-known prejudices: (1) we either have free will and are free to choose, OR (2) everything is pre-determined by Fate and therefore freedom is an illusion.

Honderich shows that both the above assumptions are wrong. This is because the term "Freedom" or "Free will" does not have just one meaning. There are two meanings of "Freedom", and because we do not appreciate these 2 different important meanings, we end up arguing endlessly and hopelessly in confusion about the nature of responsibility, choosing, praising, blaming and punishment.

The two meanings of free will can be summarised thus:
(a) that when someone makes a decision, his/her decision was made voluntarily according to his own desires and nature but that ALSO his decision was UNNECESSITATED (or uncaused), OR;
(b) a decision was made voluntarily according to a person's desires and nature.

If you think about this, the above statement number (a) clearly is saying that when we make decisions, nothing causes or necessitates them - there is no causal connection that necessitates anything we decide. Taken to its logical conclusion, this would mean there is no explanation for anything we decide. This contradicts natural science and what modern brain science is telling us that our minds arise from our brains - that mental phenomena is a result of brain activity (which is causal). However, statement (b) is consistent with the idea which we are all familiar i.e. that our actions and choices have explanations and causes.

Having read this book, readers will have a better understanding of what it means to have free will - and the contradictions that supporters of free will get themselves into. Most readers will benefit from reading Honderich's other more extensive book "Mind & Brain" as well.