Single Idea 23111

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 2. Sources of Free Will]

Full Idea

If we say that a man is a free agent in proportion as he acts rationally, we cannot also say that it is by free choice that he acts irrationally.

Gist of Idea

If we say that freedom depends on rationality, the irrational actions are not free

Source

Henry Sidgwick (The Methods of Ethics (7th edn) [1874], p.511), quoted by John Kekes - Against Liberalism 7.4

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.153


A Reaction

A very nice riposte. Clearly people can rationally choose to act irrationally, e.g. at a wild party.

Related Idea

Idea 19922 People are only free if they are guided entirely by reason [Spinoza]