All theory is against the freedom of the will; all experience for it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Philosophical theory often denies free will while personal experience supports it.
- In plain terms
- Logic says we lack free will but life feels like we have it.
- What can you take from it?
- Practical experience often contradicts abstract theory on free will.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does experience prove free will?
- When should theory override experience?
Another view
Some experience can also be interpreted as supporting determinism.
More from Samuel Johnson
Pleasure of itself is not a vice.
Permalink to quote #164 As the Spanish proverb says, 'He, who would bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.' So it is in travelling; a man m…
Permalink to quote #166 I am willing to love all mankind, except an American.
Permalink to quote #163
Related quotes
If the doctrine of free-will has raised up fanatics and persecutors, who, assuming that men may be good under all conditions if they merely wish to be so, have…
Voltairine de CleyreVoltairine de Cleyre quote #40 I do not believe in freedom of the will. Schopenhauer's words: 'Man can do what he wants, but he cannot will what he wills' accompany me in all situations thro…
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein quote #113 Even if there's no such thing as free will, we have to treat each other as if there were free will in order to live together in society. Because otherwise, eve…
Orson Scott CardOrson Scott Card quote #5