Johnathan Bi How Stoics Reconcile Determinism & Free Will | Cornell's Tad Brennan
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May 24, 2025 Tad Brennan, a Cornell professor and expert in ancient philosophy, dives into the captivating world of Stoicism. He explores the intricate balance between determinism and free will, revealing how Stoics view fate while emphasizing individual moral responsibility. The conversation highlights the relationship between human rationality and divine connections, urging a deeper understanding of autonomy. Brennan also discusses how Stoic principles can guide personal agency and virtues, challenging common notions of choice and accountability.
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Stoic Fate: Deterministic Divine Will
- The Stoic idea of fate is a deterministic network of causes connected through all time and space, rooted in Zeus as an active principle.
- This determinism might not correspond to generalizable natural laws but possibly to arbitrary divine will.
Assent and Responsibility in Stoicism
- Stoics believe what is up to us is our assent to impressions, which determines our desires, beliefs, and emotions.
- Our character shapes these assents and so responsibility lies in them, even though assents are causally determined.
No Causal Exemption for Assent
- The Stoics do not believe in causal exemption of assent but hold that assent is determined by our character.
- Responsibility comes from our actions reflecting who we are, not from indeterministic free choice.