The Free Will Delusion

How We Settled for the Illusion of Morality

“insightful … important … stimulating”

- Literary Review

“his is an eloquent, persuasive stance”

- The Bookseller

Poverty is not accident, but design. We are not all equal before the law. And the central message of contemporary ethics is that only some people matter.

Belief in free will means never having to acknowledge your own great good fortune, or recognise the far greater misfortune of others. It is the conceit of freedom of the will that today ensures that so many at the bottom are denied any chance of social and economic advancement.

Some free will theorists argue that justice for the majority cancels out injustice for the minority; others argue that we need not be concerned with ideals of equality, fair play and opportunity. But is this fair? “Is it fair…? Life isn’t fair”, shrugs the free will philosopher Dan Dennett. Yes, life is not fair, and if we leave it up to the priests and the philosophers, it never will be.

Other praise for the author’s earlier writing:

“a remarkable book… powerful, provocative, clear,accessible, and a joy to read... a singular achievement”

- Bruce Waller, philosopher, and author of Freedom Without Responsibility and Against Moral Responsibility

“a terrific book… bold and provocative, yet rigorously argued... Highly recommended”

- Richard Double, philosopher, and author of Metaphilosophy and Free Will

“Incredibly important”

- Will Provine, Tisch Distinguished University Professor, Cornell University

“impressive, powerful, thoroughly informed and eloquent”

- Derk Pereboom, Professor and former Chair, The Sage School of Philosophy

“... which I was impressed by and much enjoyed”

- Derek Parfit, Emeritus Senior Research Fellow, All Souls College, Oxford;

Visiting Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University; Global Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, NYU

“a polemical piece … but it’s hard to deny that he has a point”

- Neuroskeptic