more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
I believe in moral liberty first because we have a natural conviction of belief that in many cases we act freely, second because we are accountable, and third because we can prosecute an end by a long series of means adapted.
Gist of Idea
We are morally free, because we experience it, we are accountable, and we pursue projects
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 4: Liberty of Agents [1788], 5)
Book Ref
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.336
A Reaction
This is his final summary of why he believes in free will. Why didn't Plato and Aristotle have this natural belief? He could only believe we are 'accountable' because he believes in free will. Ants and bees pursue lengthy projects. Hm.
23676 | A willed action needs reasonable understanding of what is to be done [Reid] |
23677 | We all know that mere priority or constant conjunction do not have to imply causation [Reid] |
23678 | A motive is merely an idea, like advice, and not a force for action [Reid] |
23680 | We are morally free, because we experience it, we are accountable, and we pursue projects [Reid] |
23679 | The principle of the law of nature is that matter is passive, and is acted upon [Reid] |
23681 | The first motion or effect cannot be produced necessarily, so the First Cause must be a free agent [Reid] |