Determinism

FREEDOM OF THE WILL AND DETERMINISM

Contra: Chapter 39. Baron D'Holbach: "We Are Completely Determined"

Pro: Chapter 40. "Corliss Lamont: Freedom of the Will and Human Responsibility" (334-337)

The nature of the freedom of the human will remains one of the most debated questions between philosophers. The durability of the debate is evidenced in the introductory philosophy anthology The Quest for Truth, when the Enlightenment era defender of determinism, Baron D'Holbach is pitted against the 20th century philosopher of Humanism Corliss Lamont. Despite the centuries that divide them, the two men engage in a dialogue that continues to have profound policy implications. The freedom of the will debate touches upon everything from the Christian religion's conception of the soul and salvation, to political science's conceptualizations of human rights, and to the current legal debate over retributive punishment, most specifically capital punishment.

Corliss Lamont, in his essay "Freedom of the...
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