The Thomistic Institute Is Free Will an Illusion? – Prof. Joshua Hochschild
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Dec 6, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Professor Joshua Hochschild, a philosopher specializing in medieval logic and ethics, tackles the complex issue of free will. He delves into Dante's insights on freedom and divine love, and contrasts instinctual drives with rational thought. Hochschild critiques modern materialist views that deny free will, using metaphors like storms and puppets. He introduces the idea of participated causality, suggesting that while humans share causal influence, they're not entirely self-determined. His analysis emphasizes the enduring relevance of classical thought in understanding human agency.
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Will Ordered By Reason
- Dante's chariot metaphor captures a Thomistic view: the will is naturally ordered to the good but must be guided by reason.
- Human freedom consists in judging particular means to fulfill an innate orientation toward the good.
Modern Denial Stems From Materialism
- The modern denial of free will often rests on a materialist picture that reduces persons to physical processes.
The 'Control Paradox' Argument
- Sam Harris argues free will is impossible because agents would need complete control over all causal influences, which is implausible on materialist assumptions.
- This objection depends on treating physical science as a full account of reality rather than a partial description.
