310 HUMANISM xvi 



Before the event, therefore, either event seems equally 

 probable. After the event, both still seem intelligible, 

 though (according to the Determinist) only that which 

 actually occurred was ever possible. But is it not absurd 

 to say of such a doctrine that it destroys the continuity 

 of character and the rationality of the universe ? Has 

 it not rather succeeded in satisfying the demand for a 

 calculable order of events by representing Freedom as a 

 choice between alternatives all of which are calculable, 

 and in a manner rational ? 



It would seem, therefore, that the conception of Free 

 dom, just as the plain man experiences and understands 

 it, is quite rational and philosophic, and that it can be 

 refuted only by being travestied. But can we assume 

 the offensive in our turn and refute Determinism ? 



The difficulty of this undertaking is due to a very 

 simple cause. We have seen that the truth underlying 

 metaphysical Determinism is its usefulness when conceived 

 as a method of Science. It follows from this use that 

 every fact presented by every science is capable of being con 

 ceived deterministically. Consequently we never seem to 

 get at any facts which can be used against the deterministic 

 view. Even our freely chosen alternative may be repre 

 sented as the only one which could have been chosen. 

 Hence a direct disproof of Determinism seems impossible. 



Our attack, therefore, must be more subtly planned. 

 We may ask why does any one choose to be a Deter 

 minist ? Now any one regarding Determinism merely as 

 a postulate of Science has, of course, a cogent answer. 

 If we desire to know and to predict and to prepare, we 

 have no other choice. We must adopt the assumption 

 which enables us to attain our end. So far from ques 

 tioning this assumption the Libertarian must try to show 

 that his own position is not incompatible with it. 



He may, however, draw attention to the voluntary 

 character of this fundamental postulate. Apparently, he 

 may infer, the power of choice and the desire to attain 

 ends are superior even to this great principle. For they 

 select and constitute it. We can choose to adopt the 



