back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 5088

[from 'fragments/reports' by Democritus, in 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / a. Determinism ]

Full Idea

Some people (Democritus?) say there is no such thing as a chance event; they claim that there is always a determinate cause for everything which is said to be a chance or a spontaneous event.

Gist of Idea

Some say there is a determinate cause for every apparently spontaneous event

Source

report of Democritus (fragments/reports [c.431 BCE]) by Aristotle - Physics 195b37

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.42


A Reaction

This is the mutual implication of physicalism and determinism, which strikes me as unavoidable. I say: don't panic about morality because determinism is true. Embrace determinism - it is harmless and true. Its opposite is a nonsense.