--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Until the early 90s, when I was working…" description: "\"Until the early 90s, when I was working on a project about the idea of free will in American philosophy. I knew that Lincoln had had something to say a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/allen-c-guelzo-17586_book_until-the-early-90s-when-i-was-working-o_1906678.jpg" --- # Until the early 90s, when I was working on a project about… ![“Until the early 90s, when I was working on a project about the idea of free will in American philosophy. I knew that Lincoln had had something to say about "necessity" and "fatalism," and so I began writing him into the book. In fact, Lincoln took over. I wrote instead 'Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer…” quote by Allen C. Guelzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/allen-c-guelzo-17586_book_until-the-early-90s-when-i-was-working-o_1906678.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/allen-c-guelzo-17586_book_until-the-early-90s-when-i-was-working-o_1906678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/allen-c-guelzo-17586_book_until-the-early-90s-when-i-was-working-o_1906678.jpg) > “Until the early 90s, when I was working on a project about the idea of free will in American philosophy. I knew that Lincoln had had something to say about "necessity" and "fatalism," and so I began writing him into the book. In fact, Lincoln took over. I wrote instead 'Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President,' in 1999, and I've splitting rails with Mr. Lincoln ever since. If there's a twelve-step process for this somewhere, I haven't found it yet.” [Allen C. Guelzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-c-guelzo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author explores Lincoln’s views on free will versus determinism, weaving the president into philosophical discussion. **In simple terms:** Lincoln’s ideas on fate and choice are examined. Key Takeaway Consider how historical figures shape philosophical debates. Themes philosophy history free will determinism biography Mood thoughtful inquisitive analytical Type explanatory interpretive When to use this quote - academic research - writing a book - public lectures - teaching philosophy Key Concepts American philosophy historical analysis theology Questions to Reflect On - How does Lincoln’s perspective inform today’s debates on agency? - What challenges arise when interpreting historical texts for philosophical concepts? A Different Perspective Lincoln’s own writings rarely address modern free‑will terminology directly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Fatalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatalism/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“One voice was raised in dissent. A Springfield lawyer, a former member of Congress and longtime Whig named Abraham Lincoln, took up Douglas’s defense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-c-guelzo/one-voice-was-raised-in-dissent-a-springfield-lawyer-a-former-member/) [Allen C. Guelzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-c-guelzo/) > [The general consensus among historians, among the ones who can handle the fact that 'Lincoln' is, in fact, historical fiction, is that we demonstrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kushner/the-general-consensus-among-historians-among-the-ones-who-can-handle/) [Tony Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kushner/) > [Native Americans were driven off their land. Lincoln even took part in the Black Hawk campaign against the Native Americans in Illinois. 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