Overview

This book is the first full-length treatment of the philosophical problem of fatalism, the thesis that the laws of logic alone suffice to prove that no person ever acts freely. After a critical examination of the history of the problem, from Aristotle through Stoic and medieval thought, Cahn analyzes contemporary discussions of the issue, revealing how a belief in free will is logically connected to specific assumptions about the truth-value of propositions and the nature of time.

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9781592446421

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Reviews

An original and important piece of scholarship. The writing is clear and economical, which is indeed a virtue in a book on this topic . Norman S. Care A clear, comprehensive, and original discussion of the argument for fatalism. D.J. O'Connor Cahn's book exudes philosophical perceptiveness. His conclusions have far-reaching implications for logic and metaphysics . Richard Taylor

An original and important piece of scholarship. The writing is clear and economical, which is indeed a virtue in a book on this topic. Norman S. Care A clear, comprehensive, and original discussion of the argument for fatalism. D.J. O'Connor Cahn's book exudes philosophical perceptiveness. His conclusions have far-reaching implications for logic and metaphysics. Richard Taylor

Author Information

Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. Among the seven books he has authored are 'Education and the Democratic Ideal'; 'Saints and Scamps: Ethics in Academia, Revised Edition'; and 'Puzzles & Perplexities: Collected Essays'. Among the twenty-two books he has edited are 'Classics of Western Philosophy, Sixth Edition'; 'Classics of Political and Moral Philosophy'; 'Classic and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education'; 'Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology'; 'The Affirmative Action Debate, Second Edition'; and 'Philosophy for the 2lst Century: A Comprehensive Reader'.

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