Single Idea 12494

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

Full Idea

A man is not at liberty to will or not to will, because he cannot forbear willing.

Gist of Idea

Men are not free to will, because they cannot help willing

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.21.24)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.246


A Reaction

Not quite an answer to the big problem, but an interesting observation for those who have high hopes of a truly, deeply and extensively free will.