How Free Are You?: The Determinism Problem
Honderich accomplishes something remarkable in this short book. He simply and clearly explains most of the issues grouped by philosophers under "free will" and "determinism" while at the same time conveying to lay readers the complexity of the field. Honderich argues for a version of determinism; human beings, in his view, are subject to causal laws that account for their behavior. Along the way, most of the standard arguments, and a few nonstandard ones, receive Honderich's penetrating attention. Many people shy away from determinism because they think that human life as we know it depends on belief in free will. Honderich disagrees; if we resolutely accept determinism, he argues, our lives will be tolerable. The book is based on Honderich's long, difficult, and influential A Theory of Determinism (Oxford Univ. Pr., 1988). Recommended for academic and large public libraries.- David Gordon, Bowling Green State Univ., OhioCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.