Again, if all movement is always interconnected, the new…
““Again, if all movement is always interconnected, the new arising from the old in a determinate order - if the atoms never swerve so as to originate some new movement that will snap the bonds of fate, the everlasting sequence of cause and effect - what is the source of the free will possessed by living things throughout the earth?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote questions how deterministic cause‑and‑effect can coexist with free will in living beings.
In simple terms: It asks why free will exists if everything is predetermined.
Consider the limits of determinism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- scientific debate
- ethical discussions
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can free will arise from complex systems?
- Is determinism compatible with moral responsibility?
Determinism may not account for emergent properties.