
This short, thoughtful work tackles the timeless clash between determinism and free‑will, bringing the debate out of dusty lecture halls and into everyday conversation. The author deliberately avoids academic jargon, aiming instead for plain language that lets listeners hear the core issue without getting lost in endless citations. From the very first pages, the book promises a clear‑sighted look at why the question still matters to anyone who wonders whether their choices are truly their own.
Drawing on thinkers from Augustine to William James, the discussion traces how the problem has been framed over centuries while keeping the focus sharply on the present. Listeners will find concise explanations of each major position, plus the author’s own effort to strip away the “verbal lumber” that often clouds philosophical debate. By the end of the first act, you’ll have a solid grasp of the central disagreement and be ready to reflect on where you stand.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (185K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, S.D., and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2011-09-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
b. 1868
A sharp, energetic voice in British freethought, this prolific writer and lecturer spent decades arguing for secularism, skepticism, and open debate. His work helped shape popular atheist and rationalist discussion in the early 20th century.
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