How Free Are You?: The Determinism Problem - Softcover

Honderich, Ted

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199251975 ISBN 13: 9780199251971

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002

Synopsis

In this fully revised and up-to-date edition of Ted Honderich's modern classic, he offers a concise and lively introduction to free will and the problem of determinism, advancing the debate on this key area of moral philosophy. Honderich sets out a determinist philosophy of mind, in response to the question, "Is there a really clear, consistent and complete version of determinism?" and asks instead if there is such a clear version of free will. He goes on to address the question of whether determinism is true and finally asks, "What can we conclude about our lives if determinism is true?"

About this title

About the Author

Ted Honderich is Grote Professor Emeritus, University College London.

From Kirkus Reviews

Honderich (Philosophy/University College, London) ponders an age-old question--are we free agents or pawns of unknown forces?- -and winds up embracing determinism. The author arrives at this conclusion through a series of closely argued deductions and thought experiments (readers unfamiliar with the terms of standard philosophical debate will welcome the excellent glossary at the end). His basic point is that all our actions are effects resulting from earlier causes; there is, then, no room for free will. Evidence for this lies, he believes, in a careful study of human neurology. He rejects epiphenomenalism, the theory that the mind is a byproduct of brain activity; rather, he sees actions as caused by ``psychoneural'' events that involve the combined effort of mind and brain. Nonetheless, Honderich argues that there is in fact no ``self'' within us that originates actions. His weakest moment comes when confronting the most popular recent challenge to determinism, quantum theory, which insists on the uncertainty of events within the subatomic world; here, his response is that maybe subatomic events don't have much to do with our level of reality, and, in any case, a new physics may come along that is based on determinism. Extrapolating his position into social spheres, he points out that in a determinist world there is no room for moral blame, and therefore punishment for the sake of punishment should be abolished; also, he suggests, those who deny free will may choose to move to the political left, which emphasizes social remedies over individual responsibility. As Honderich would have it, whether you read his book is not a matter of choice. Nonetheless, recommended for those with well- muscled brains. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0199251975
• ISBN 13: 9780199251971
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 184