Single Idea 5767

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

Full Idea

There is freedom of the will, for it would be impossible for any rational nature to exist without it. Whatever by nature has the use of reason has the power of judgement to decide each matter.

Gist of Idea

Rational natures require free will, in order to have power of judgement

Source

Boethius (The Consolations of Philosophy [c.520], V.II)

Book Reference

Boethius: 'The Consolations of Philosophy', ed/tr. Watts,V.E. [Penguin 1969], p.149


A Reaction

A view taken up by Aquinas (Idea 1849) and Kant (Idea 3740). The 'power of judgement' pinpoints the core of rationality, and it is not clear how a robot could fulfil such a power, if it lacked consciousness. Does a machine 'judge' barcodes?

Related Ideas

Idea 1849 Since will is a reasoning power, it can entertain opposites, so it is not compelled to embrace one of them [Aquinas]

Idea 3740 We cannot conceive of reason as being externally controlled [Kant]