How Free Is the Will?
Abstract
Takes up another aspect of free will, the challenge of scientific determinism. I argue that Jewish tradition contains surprisingly many thinkers who either deny free will or (more commonly) greatly limit its scope, question its value, or embrace compatibilism (the thesis that free will and determinism are compatible). Some of what these thinkers say can be transferred to the challenge of determinism as it exists today.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Free Will and Agency
Theology and Philosophy of Evil
Medieval and Classical Philosophy
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 149–171
- Publication date
- 29 January 2026
- Document type
- Book chapter