What is the problem of determinism?

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What is the problem of determinism?

The problem of determinism refers to the philosophical debate surrounding the compatibility of free will and determinism. Determinism is the belief that every event, including human actions, is causally determined by preceding events and the laws of nature. This view suggests that all events, including human choices and actions, are ultimately predetermined and could not have occurred differently. The problem arises when considering the existence of free will, which is the ability to make choices and decisions that are not causally determined by external factors. If determinism is true, then free will seems to be an illusion, as our actions would be predetermined and not truly chosen. This conflict between determinism and free will raises questions about moral responsibility, personal autonomy, and the nature of human agency.