Baron d\'Holbach describes a human\'s existence as \"a line that nature commands

Question

Baron d'Holbach describes a human's existence as "a line that nature commands him to describe upon the surface of the earth" (178). In contrast, on p. 188, Stace gives examples of free acts and unfree acts. What is the difference between the two philosophers? Do you agree or disagree with Stace's categories? What about d'Holbach? Why? Make sure you add page numbers from the book to support your ideas and thoughts.

Textbook

The Philosopher’s Way: Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas. Fifth edition. John Chaffee. Prentice Hall. 2016.

Explanation / Answer

Paul Henri Thiry d'Holbach says:

“Man’s life is a line that nature commands him to describe upon the surface of the earth, without his ever being able to swerve from it, even for an instant. He is born without his own consent; his organization does in nowise depend upon himself; his ideas come to him involuntarily; his habits are in the power of those who cause him to contract them; he is unceasingly modified by causes, whether visible or concealed, over which he has no control, which necessarily regulate his mode of existence, give the hue to his way of thinking, and determine his manner of acting. He is good or bad, happy or miserable, wise or foolish, reasonable or irrational, without his will being for any thing in these various states.”

W.T. Stace defends a view on the problem of free will and determinism called "compatibilism." According to compatibilism, we can have a meaningful notion of free will, agency, while at the same time recognizing that we don't make choices at random, that our choices are the result of prior causes.

Essentially, Stace claims that our uncoerced, our unforced choices are made freely, since we are in control of the most immediate stages of a long causal chain.

Stace claims that such a notion of free will, compatible with determinism is necessary if we are to understand how anyone can be morally responsible for his or her actions.

I fully agree with Stace's categories. I cannot accept d'Holbach views.

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