ABSTRACT
The metaphysical problem of free will has been historically created by extra-ethical difficulties, especially by theological considerations in the early Christian era, and by the influence of mechanical scientific conceptions in the modern world. The analysis of our moral experience shows that true “freedom” means teleological determination. One is the psychological question as to the precise elements into which a voluntary act may be analysed for the purpose of psychological description; the other the ethical and juridical problem as to the limits of moral responsibility. For present purpose both these questions may be left on one side. “Free” and “freedom” are manifestly what are called by the logicians “ privative” terms; they denote the absence of certain restrictions. Freedom, in actual experience, is always limited, and, moreover, admits of the most various degrees. As to the first point, it follows immediately from our consideration of the circumstances which make unfree.
