May 1, 2024
3 minute read
Determinism is the philosophical view that every event is caused by a prior event or set of events, and that the state of the universe at any given time is completely determined by its state at the previous time. In other words, determinism holds that the universe is a closed system, and that everything that happens is the inevitable result of what has happened before.
Origins and History of Determinism
The concept of determinism has been around for centuries, and can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. The philosopher Democritus argued that all events are caused by the movement of atoms, and that the universe is governed by a set of laws that are unchanging and unbreakable. This view was later adopted by the Roman philosopher Cicero, who coined the term "determinism."
Determinism has been a popular philosophical view throughout history, and has been defended by many great thinkers, including Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant. However, it has also been criticized by many, including David Hume, who argued that determinism is incompatible with human freedom and responsibility.
Types of Determinism
There are many different types of determinism, but the two most common are:
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Causal determinism: This is the view that every event is caused by a prior event or set of events. This type of determinism is often associated with the scientific worldview, which holds that the universe is governed by a set of laws that are unchanging and unbreakable.
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Logical determinism: This is the view that every event is logically necessary. This type of determinism is often associated with the philosophical worldview, which holds that the universe is a closed system, and that everything that happens is the inevitable result of what has happened before.
Determinism and Free Will
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Reading list
We've selected 13 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Determinism.
This entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides a comprehensive overview of the topic of determinism. It is written by a leading philosopher in the field and great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about determinism.
Provides a rigorous and technical treatment of causal determinism. It is written by a leading philosopher of science and is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the philosophical foundations of determinism.
Classic work on the topic of determinism. Dennett argues that we have free will even if our actions are causally determined.
Classic work on the problem of free will. Mackie argues that the problem of free will is irresolvable.
Classic work on the debate between compatibilism and incompatibilism. Frankfurt argues that compatibilism is the correct view.
Classic work on the topic of determinism by the French philosopher Henri Bergson. Bergson argues that the will is free and that we are responsible for our actions.
Contemporary work on the topic of determinism and moral responsibility. Fischer argues that we can be held morally responsible for our actions even if our actions are causally determined.
Explores the relationship between free will and the problem of evil. Van Inwagen argues that the problem of evil does not provide a good argument against the existence of free will.
Contemporary work on the topic of compatibilism. Watson argues that compatibilism is the most plausible view of the relationship between free will and determinism.
Contemporary work on the topic of incompatibilism. Kane argues that incompatibilism is the most plausible view of the relationship between free will and determinism.
This entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides a comprehensive overview of the topic of determinism. It is written by a leading philosopher in the field and great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about determinism.
Explores the relationship between determinism and freedom in the context of modern science. It is written by a leading philosopher in the field and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.
This article in Philosophy Now provides a clear and concise introduction to the topic of determinism. It is written by a leading philosopher in the field and great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about determinism.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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