xvi FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY 311 



Determinist principle. We do choose to adopt it, 

 because we prefer it to its alternative and it yields us 

 what we want, viz. the power to control events. Now 

 perhaps it may be denied that this refutes Determinism, 

 because even though our choice seems free, it may really 

 be determined. But still the fact shows that our human 

 contribution to our conception of reality cannot be quite 

 a negligible quantity and not worth mentioning. Is it 

 not strange that the helpless victims of Fate should play 

 such a leading part in the making of that Fate ? 



A still more curious fact for Determinism to consider 

 is that though the whole world may be thought of as 

 determined, it is just as easy and just as reasonable to 

 think of it as pervaded by a streak of Freedom. The 

 Libertarian view, as we have described it, is just as 

 possible and as rational as the Determinist ; i.e. it is 

 just as capable of interpreting the facts. If one or the 

 other is to be preferred, it must be by an act of choice. 

 But this choice cannot be determined by logical considera 

 tions. For as a purely logical theory either will work. 

 Our choice, therefore, must be a logically undetermined, 

 i.e. a free, one between theories whose intellectual appeal 

 seems equal, because both yield consistent interpretations 

 which cover the whole field of nature. 



Even, therefore, if a Determinist should never choose 

 again, must he not exercise his freedom at least once 

 in adopting his theory ? Must he not prove its truth 

 and make the interpretation which supplies his evidence, 

 by a fiat of his will ? But is not a Determinism which 

 depends for its establishment on a free choice a self- 

 contradiction of Determinism ? We can be Determinists 

 only because we are determined to deny our freedom. 

 And because we are free, we are free to do even this ! 



In any case is it not a humiliation for Determinism 

 to have to recognize a free choice underlying its whole 

 fabric ? For it has defined such choices as irrational. 

 To a Libertarian on the other hand the situation seems 

 quite reasonable. He has not defined choice as irrational 

 as such, and has no prejudice against a free one. 



