Single Idea 4176

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will]

Full Idea

Everyone regards himself a priori as free in his individual actions, and only a posteriori sees that necessarily his actions follow from the coincidence of character with motives.

Clarification

'A priori' is by pure thought; 'a posteriori' is after experience

Gist of Idea

We all regard ourselves a priori as free, but see from experience that character and motive compel us

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Idea [1819], IV.55)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'The World as Will and Idea', ed/tr. Berman,Jill and David [Everyman 1995], p.190


A Reaction

I'm not sure what experience shows. Necessity seems more obvious when observing other people. Samuel Johnson said experience showed freedom, not necessity.