__________ defended hard determinism by stating: "Man is a purely physical being. . . . [He is] subject to . . . immutable laws. . . . Man's life is a line that Nature commands him to describe upon the surface of the earth: without his ever being able to swerve from it even for an instant. He is born without his own consent [and] he is unceasingly modified by causes, whether visible or concealed, over which he has no control. . . . Nevertheless, despite of the shackles by which he is bound, it is pretended he is a free agent, or that independent of the causes by which he is moved, he determines his own will; regulates his own condition."
A) William James
B) Baron d'Holbach
C) Immanuel Kant
D) David Hume

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement aligns with the philosophy of hard determinism, which argues that all events, including human actions and decisions, are causally determined by preceding events and laws of nature. Baron d'Holbach is known for his advocacy of this view in his philosophical works. The other options, including William James, Immanuel Kant, and David Hume, held different views on determinism and free will.

__________ Defended Hard Determinism by Stating: "Man Is a Purely