Libertarianism (metaphysics)
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Libertarianism is a philosophical position in metaphysics with respect to free will and determinism. It entails the belief that human beings possess free will, that free will is incompatible with determinism, and that determinism is false. Metaphysical libertarianism is discussed and defended by several leading philosophers, such as Peter van Inwagen, Robert Kane, Robert Nozick or John Searle.[citation needed]
The term libertarianism in metaphysical or philosophical sense first was used by late Enlightenment free-thinkers to refer to those who believed in free will, as opposed to determinism.[1] The first recorded use was in 1789 by William Belsham in a discussion of free will and in opposition to "necessitarian" (or determinist) views.[2][3] Metaphysical and philosophical contrasts between philosophies of necessity and libertarianism continued in the early 19th century.[4]
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[edit] See also
- discontinuous phenomena
- John Horton Conway
- Monte Carlo method
- Newcomb's paradox
- Notes from Underground
- Stochastic
- Voluntarism
[edit] References
- ^ David Boaz, Libertarianism: A Primer, Free Press, 1998, 22-25.
- ^ William Belsham, "Essays", printed for C. Dilly, 1789; original from the University of Michigan, digitized May 21, 2007, p.11.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary definition of libertarianism.
- ^ Jared Sparks, Collection of Essays and Tracts in Theology, from Various Authors, with Biographical and Critical Notices, published by Oliver Everett, 13 Cornhill, 1824.
[edit] Further reading
- Randolph Clarke Libertarian Accounts of Free Will. Oxford University Press: New York, 2003. ISBN 0-19-515987-X
- Robert Kane The Significance of Free Will. Oxford University Press: New York, 1998. ISBN 0-19-512656-4
[edit] External links
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- M. Huemer: A Proof of Free Will
- Peter Van Inwagen: The Mystery Of Metaphysical Freedom
