Making Sense of Your Freedom

Written for the general reader, this book provides in highly accessible language a brief metaphysical defense of freedom. James W. Felt invites his readers on a philosophic journey explore the questions: Are we truly free in our actions, and if so, can we make sense of this fact?Developing an approach that owes most to the French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859-1941), Felt explains why it is reasonable to affirm that we are free in making personal decisions. He then reviews several senses of ''freedom'' and common arguments for and against affirming it, including those for determinism and compatibilism. He leads the reader to an uncommon understanding of the nature of both time and personal causal activity (agency) and, in the high metaphysical reconception of time and of agency, establishes that the affirmation of personal freedom makes rational sense - indeed more sense than its denial. In his concluding pages, he illustrates the significance of this new perspective of time, agency, and freedom by applying it to the problem of evil in a created world and to our conception of the future and of the self.Conceding that his view is not a popular one, Felt describes the path he traces as ''tortuous and sometimes steep. But the prospect at the end, which may be a new view of yourself and of the adventure of life, may make the climb worthwhile.''

Written for general readers and students, this book provides an accessible and brief metaphysical defense of freedom. James Felt invites his audience to consider that we are responsible for what we do precisely because we do it freely. His perspective runs counter to the philosophers who argue that the freedom of action is merely an illusion. Written for general readers and students, this book provides an accessible and brief metaphysical defense of freedom. James W. Felt, S.J., invites his audience to consider that we are responsible for what we do precisely because we do it freely. His perspective runs counter to the philosophers who argue that the freedom humans feel in their actions is merely an illusion. Felt argues in detail that there are no compelling reasons for thinking we are not free, and very strong ones for thinking that we are. The view that Felt develops parallels that of the French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859–1941). In the course of his analysis, Felt considers determinism, compatibilism, agency, and the problem of evil. Featuring an updated suggested reading list, this clearly and engagingly written introductory work is ideal for the undergraduate classroom.