Single Idea 23235

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

Full Idea

I want to be independent - not to be in and through another but to be something for myself: and as such I want myself to be the fundamental cause of all my determinations.

Gist of Idea

I want independent control of the fundamental cause of my decisions

Source

Johann Fichte (The Vocation of Man [1800], 1)

Book Reference

Fichte,Johann G.: 'The Vocation of Man', ed/tr. Preuss,Peter [Hackett 1987], p.21


A Reaction

I think this sums up the absurdity of the concept of free will. The only reason he gives for his passionate belief in free will is that he desperately wants some imagined 'fundamental cause' for his action, and he wants full control of that chimera.