Introduction

This chapter considers the 'Basic Argument' for determinism. The 'Basic Argument' presents us with a dilemma. The Basic Argument can figure as part of an argument for a kind of metaphysical scepticism, which is about as puzzling and paradoxical a philosophical doctrine as any other. There are a number of additional arguments designed to make determinism the most attractive theory. Hobbes attacks that premiss of the Basic Argument that seems to be its strongest, the premiss that, for there to be freedom of action, the agent must be presented with alternatives that are genuine possibilities. The common premiss of both determinist and indeterminist is, of course, the alleged incompatibility of causation and freedom of choice. It may seem very surprising, but it is possible to be a determinist in virtue of being an actualist, without also being a necessitarian.