The Problem of Free Will and Determinism in Contemporary Philosophical Discourse

Abstract

The debate on free will and determinism in modern philosophy explores one of the most profound questions concerning human existence: whether individuals truly act freely or whether their choices are governed by causal necessity and external conditions. Modern philosophical discourse, influenced by scientific determinism, Enlightenment rationalism, and existential thought, has produced three dominant positions—hard determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism. While hard determinism denies genuine freedom, libertarianism defends radical autonomy, and compatibilism attempts to reconcile determinism with moral responsibility. Thinkers such as Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume, Kant, Sartre, Ayer, and Frankfurt have shaped the modern debate, each offering distinct perspectives on agency and accountability. Contemporary developments in neuroscience and psychology further complicate the issue, suggesting unconscious processes behind human decision-making. This study examines how modern philosophy navigates these tensions, emphasizing the continuing relevance of the free will problem for ethics, law, and the very meaning of human dignity.