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Single Idea 2176

[from 'Shame and Necessity' by Bernard Williams, in 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will ]

Full Idea

There is a problem of free will only for those who think that the notion of voluntary can be metaphysically deepened.

Gist of Idea

There is only a problem of free will if you think the notion of 'voluntary' can be metaphysically deepened

Source

Bernard Williams (Shame and Necessity [1993], III - p.68)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Shame and Necessity' [California 1994], p.68


A Reaction

Years later, I now see that his refers to a pet hate of mine in discussions of free will, which is the idea that a person can have something called 'ultimate' responsibility for an action (which is the 'deep' version of 'you did it').