The Cruelty of Free Will by Richard Oerton
Following on from the success of The Nonsense of Free Will, The Cruelty of Free Will takes up where the earlier book left off. It sets to answer two questions - why - and how - does free will belief persist so stubbornly?
Oerton has done it again: a delightful, wise and compassionate diagnosis of the free will error, and why correcting it matters so much-- Tom Clark, Director of the Center for Naturalism
The Cruelty of Free Will contains an unpretentious and heart-felt denial of the sort of free will that supports retribution, whether championed by compatibilists, libertarians or illusionists. Oerton's denial of free will places itself squarely in the determinist, materialist and atheist traditions. His denunciation of moral responsibility is so straightforward yet profound that even those who are most strongly committed to this idea may feel impelled to rethink their attachment. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever been tempted to assign ‘just deserts’ - that is, for everyone. -- Richard Double, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania
On a large subject about which there is common belief, good sense is rare. So is amiable lucidity. And humanity. This book has them. -- Ted Honderich, Grote Professor Emeritus of the Philosophy of Mind and Logic, University College London
Moral responsibility and just deserts promote human dignity, protection of the innocent, equal opportunity, and respect for individual rights: or so both philosophers and “the folk” generally believe. That deep conviction makes it essential to preserve belief in moral responsibility at all costs. Richard Oerton demolishes that belief with wit, insight, and clarity, and this demolition work clears the ground for building a more humane and decent and scientifically sound system. -- Bruce Waller, Professor of Philosophy, Youngstown State University
The Cruelty of Free Will contains an unpretentious and heart-felt denial of the sort of free will that supports retribution, whether championed by compatibilists, libertarians or illusionists. Oerton's denial of free will places itself squarely in the determinist, materialist and atheist traditions. His denunciation of moral responsibility is so straightforward yet profound that even those who are most strongly committed to this idea may feel impelled to rethink their attachment. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever been tempted to assign ‘just deserts’ - that is, for everyone. -- Richard Double, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania
On a large subject about which there is common belief, good sense is rare. So is amiable lucidity. And humanity. This book has them. -- Ted Honderich, Grote Professor Emeritus of the Philosophy of Mind and Logic, University College London
Moral responsibility and just deserts promote human dignity, protection of the innocent, equal opportunity, and respect for individual rights: or so both philosophers and “the folk” generally believe. That deep conviction makes it essential to preserve belief in moral responsibility at all costs. Richard Oerton demolishes that belief with wit, insight, and clarity, and this demolition work clears the ground for building a more humane and decent and scientifically sound system. -- Bruce Waller, Professor of Philosophy, Youngstown State University
Richard Oerton has had a career as a lawyer, working both at the Law Commission and in private practice, and has produced a number of legal and other books and articles. In retirement he has written two books denying the existence of what is called “free will” and questioning contemporary ideas about morality. Having been a member of the human race for 88 years, he now takes a last lingering final look at its membership in general and sees much that has disappointed him - in them and, come to that, in himself.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781785899928 |
| ISBN 10 | 1785899929 |
| Title | The Cruelty of Free Will |
| Author | Richard Oerton |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Troubador Publishing |
| Year published | 2016-11-28 |
| Number of pages | 160 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |