--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think if there were to be a solution to…" description: "\"I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of free will, it would have to be a compatibilist one. Unfortunately, from that it does not follo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg" --- # I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of… ![“I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of free will, it would have to be a compatibilist one. Unfortunately, from that it does not follow that there is such a solution. Many philosophers find this an unwelcome message, and as often happens in philosophy, they punish the messenger by…” quote by Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg) > “I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of free will, it would have to be a compatibilist one. Unfortunately, from that it does not follow that there is such a solution. Many philosophers find this an unwelcome message, and as often happens in philosophy, they punish the messenger by ascribing to him an entirely imaginary but untenable position.” [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## 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 argues that a compatible solution to free will is elusive, and philosophers often reject such proposals. **In simple terms:** Finding a solution to free will is hard and often dismissed. Key Takeaway Recognize the complexity of free will debates. Themes philosophy free will compatibilism argumentation Mood thoughtful skeptical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic conferences - philosophy courses - ethical decision making Key Concepts metaphysics logic epistemology Questions to Reflect On - Do you think free will can be reconciled with determinism? - What alternative perspectives could address the problem? A Different Perspective The argument may overlook alternative frameworks beyond compatibilism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Free Compatibilist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-compatibilist-4283156/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Imaginary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginary/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Messengers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messengers/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophers Unwelcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers-unwelcome-4283157/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Punish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-punish-4283155/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Solution Philosophers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solution-philosophers-4283154/) [Solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solutions/) [Think Solution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-solution-532656/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Unwelcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unwelcome/) ## Related quotes > [If you haven't understood the world you're living in, it's impossible to think that the solution you're coming up with fits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-obeng/if-you-haven-t-understood-the-world-you-re-living-in-it-s-impossible/) [Eddie Obeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-obeng/) > [“Just once, he thinks, I would like to think of a solution that does not involve me nearly blowing myself up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jackson-bennett/just-once-he-thinks-i-would-like-to-think-of-a-solution-that-does-not/) [Robert Jackson Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jackson-bennett/) > [I find if I just sit down and think, a solution presents itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-connery/i-find-if-i-just-sit-down-and-think-a-solution-presents-itself/) [Sean Connery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-connery/) > [Most of the CEO's who fail think they will find the solution to their problems in Finance, Marketing, Strategic Planning, etc., but they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/most-of-the-ceo-s-who-fail-think-they-will-find-the-solution-to-their/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [There are many problems, but I think there is a solution to all these problems, it's just one and it's education. You educate all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/there-are-many-problems-but-i-think-there-is-a-solution-to-all-these/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [I think that the solution of the question of numerical superiority of Russian conventional forces has to be solved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-schmidt/i-think-that-the-solution-of-the-question-of-numerical-superiority-of/) [Helmut Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-schmidt/) > [“It's so damn complex. If you ever think you have the solution to this, you're wrong and you're dangerous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-r-mcmaster-2/it-s-so-damn-complex-if-you-ever-think-you-have-the-solution-to-this/) [H.R. McMaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-mcmaster-2/) > [Think of the solution, not the problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/think-of-the-solution-not-the-problem/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [I think the solution to making this world better is if we would just be healthy, mentally,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-think-the-solution-to-making-this-world-better-is-if-we-would-just/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [If you you think there is a solution, you're part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/if-you-you-think-there-is-a-solution-you-re-part-of-the-problem/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“Have you ever noticed, when things seem to be working against you, that if you focus on fixing things, think about a solution, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everett-peacock/have-you-ever-noticed-when-things-seem-to-be-working-against-you-that/) [Everett Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everett-peacock/) > [When something goes wrong, fear also gets in the way. You may retreat in your shell. Remember every problem has a solution. Never lament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/when-something-goes-wrong-fear-also-gets-in-the-way-you-may-retreat/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [If you think there's a solution, you're part of the problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/if-you-think-there-s-a-solution-you-re-part-of-the-problem/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I think that what will help women get into positions of power - well, day nurseries, equal pay, family-friendly working hours. And I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-think-that-what-will-help-women-get-into-positions-of-power-well/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [...think of the solution, not the problem. If your mind was filled only with thoughts of why you were going to lose, then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/think-of-the-solution-not-the-problem-if-your-mind-was-filled-only/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) ## More by Allen W. Wood > [For the utilitarian, there is a fact of the matter about the good (the general happiness, or whatever conception of the good the utilitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/for-the-utilitarian-there-is-a-fact-of-the-matter-about-the-good-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [No theory about our bodies as mere objects of observation and calculation (as distinct from partners in communicative interaction, assumed to be free) can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/no-theory-about-our-bodies-as-mere-objects-of-observation-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Some empirical feelings, such as sympathy, are indispensable parts of certain moral virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/some-empirical-feelings-such-as-sympathy-are-indispensable-parts-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We commit not only theoretical error but also moral wrong in objectifying ourselves or other rational beings, ignoring their capacities for free action and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-commit-not-only-theoretical-error-but-also-moral-wrong-in/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant certainly was sympathetic with the metaphysical tradition of rational theology that he criticized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-certainly-was-sympathetic-with-the-metaphysical-tradition-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [That Hegel's theory is derivative from Fichte's does not prevent it from being strikingly original and of independent value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/that-hegel-s-theory-is-derivative-from-fichte-s-does-not-prevent-it/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is sad to witness the persistence in our society of the racism and xenophobia that seems to be a permanent part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-sad-to-witness-the-persistence-in-our-society-of-the-racism-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is rational to choose the right means to your ends to develop very elegant abstract formal theories of rational choice, and then turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-rational-to-choose-the-right-means-to-your-ends-to-develop-very/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We can never prove that we are free or integrate our freedom in any way into our objective conception of the causal order of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-can-never-prove-that-we-are-free-or-integrate-our-freedom-in-any/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant regards the universalizability test for maxims as focused on a very special sort of situation: one where the agent is tempted to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-regards-the-universalizability-test-for-maxims-as-focused-on-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [My own view is that Kant's conception of the duality of the good (morality and happiness, the good of our person and the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/my-own-view-is-that-kant-s-conception-of-the-duality-of-the-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is actually a nice question how far Descartes himself endorses the monological and metaphysically dualistic theory of mind associated with his name and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-actually-a-nice-question-how-far-descartes-himself-endorses-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [In fact people do not know enough about themselves and what is good for them to form a sufficiently definite conception of the general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/in-fact-people-do-not-know-enough-about-themselves-and-what-is-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Empiricist philosophy always tends to be anti-philosophy (and is often proud of it).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/empiricist-philosophy-always-tends-to-be-anti-philosophy-and-is-often/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) [Explore all 151 Allen W. Wood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## More Doe quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [A home is not a museum. It doesn't have to be furnished with Picasso paintings, or Sheraton suites, or Oriental rugs, or Chinese pottery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/a-home-is-not-a-museum-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-furnished-with-picasso/) [James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [Nothing old is ever reborn but neither does it totally disappear. And that which has once been born, will always reappear in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-aalto/nothing-old-is-ever-reborn-but-neither-does-it-totally-disappear-and/) [Alvar Aalto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvar-aalto/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [If Wall Street crashes, does Main Street follow? Not necessarily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bernanke/if-wall-street-crashes-does-main-street-follow-not-necessarily/) [Ben Bernanke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bernanke/) > [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/) [Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/) [Browse all 25,574 Doe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of free will, it would have to be a compatibilist one. Unfortunately, from that it does not follow that there is such a solution. Many philosophers find this an unwelcome message, and as often happens in philosophy, they punish the messenger by ascribing to him an entirely imaginary but untenable position.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Allen W. Wood" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-to-the-problem-of-free-will-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-to-the-problem-of-free-will-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/allen-w-wood-2748_doe_i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-t_2114278.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think if there were to be a solution to the problem of free will, it would have to be a compatibilist one…” — Allen W. Wood", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Allen W. Wood", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think if there were to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-to-the-problem-of-free-will-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/i-think-if-there-were-to-be-a-solution-to-the-problem-of-free-will-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```