What We Are Reading Today: ‘On the Freedom of the Will’

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Updated 17 January 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘On the Freedom of the Will’

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  • Schopenhauer distinguishes between different types of freedom, including physical, intellectual and moral

Author: Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer’s “On the Freedom of the Will” is a landmark philosophical work that explores one of humanity’s most debated questions: Do we have free will?

Published in 1839 as part of a prize competition held by the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences, this essay won first prize for the author and remains one of his most influential works.

In it, Schopenhauer rigorously examines the concept of free will, combining insights from metaphysics, psychology and science.

He argues for a deterministic view of human action, asserting that while humans may feel free in their decisions, their choices are ultimately determined by external circumstances and internal motivations beyond their control.

Schopenhauer distinguishes between different types of freedom, including physical, intellectual and moral.

While he concedes that humans have physical freedom (freedom from external coercion), he rejects the notion of metaphysical freedom — the idea individuals can act independently of causality.

One of the essay’s key contributions is Schopenhauer’s clear articulation of the relationship between will and action. He asserts that our actions are a direct expression of our unchanging character, which itself is shaped by factors outside our control.

This perspective challenges traditional notions of moral responsibility, as it questions whether individuals can be truly “free” in a moral sense.

The essay also explores the implications of determinism for ethics and human behavior.

Schopenhauer’s arguments are deeply rooted in his broader philosophical system, particularly his concept of the “will” as the driving force behind all existence.

He blends philosophical reasoning with practical examples, making his work both intellectually rigorous and accessible to readers.

Schopenhauer’s writing style is notable for its clarity and precision, though it carries his characteristic pessimism and sharp critiques of opposing views. His dismissal of metaphysical freedom as an illusion is provocative and has sparked debate among philosophers for centuries.

“On the Freedom of the Will” is a profound, thought-provoking work that challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about free will, causality and moral responsibility.

Schopenhauer’s arguments remain relevant today, influencing contemporary discussions in philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology.

 


What We Are Reading Today: Art in a State of Siege

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Updated 07 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Art in a State of Siege

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Author: Joseph Leo Koerner

What do artworks look like in extreme cases of collective experience?

What signals do artists send when enemies are at the city walls and the rule of law breaks down, or when a tyrant suspends the law to attack from inside? Art in a State of Siege tells the story of three compelling images created in dangerous moments and the people who experienced them—from Philip II of Spain to Carl Schmitt—whose panicked gaze turned artworks into omens.

 


What We Are Reading Today: The Second Emancipation by Howard W. French

What We Are Reading Today: The Second Emancipation by Howard W. French
Updated 06 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Second Emancipation by Howard W. French

What We Are Reading Today: The Second Emancipation by Howard W. French

“The Second Emancipation,” a work of Odyssean dimension, recasts the liberation of post–World War II colonial Africa and the American civil rights struggle through the lens of Ghana’s revolutionary visionary Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972), who emerges as the most significant African leader of the twentieth century. 

In its dramatic depiction of a continent that once exuded the promise of a newly won freedom, this book offers a generational work that positions not only Africa but also the American civil rights movement at the forefront of modern-day history.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘California Amphibians and Reptiles’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘California Amphibians and Reptiles’
Updated 05 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘California Amphibians and Reptiles’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘California Amphibians and Reptiles’

Authors: Robert Hansen and Jackson D. Shedd

California is home to more than 200 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in an extraordinary array of habitats, from coastal temperate rainforests with giant redwoods to southeastern deserts offering dazzling wildflower displays each spring. 

“California Amphibians and Reptiles” covers every species and subspecies in this biodiverse region of the United States, with outstanding color photography and in-depth species accounts that draw on the latest findings on taxonomy and distribution.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Make Your Bed’

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Updated 04 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Make Your Bed’

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  • The author argues that discipline, resilience and hard work are essential for personal improvement and growth

Author: William H. McRaven

Published in 2017, “Make Your Bed: Small Things That Can Change Your Life … And Maybe The World” by retired US navy four-star admiral, William H. McRaven, is an exploration of discipline and self-control.

According to McRaven, attending diligently to simple daily tasks, such as making one’s bed in the morning, create a sense of discipline and accomplishment.

In addition, having a sense of order and purpose in life can help motivate one to push beyond initial goals.

The author argues that discipline, resilience and hard work are essential for personal improvement and growth.

In the book’s 10 chapters, McRaven outlines specific lessons which include the value of teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of facing adversity.

His style of writing is engaging and he emphasizes some of his own struggles and wins, while elaborating on how the principles he learned can be applied.

The book provides valuable insights that could inspire people to go and “make their bed” if they want to change their own lives, and maybe even the world.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Cute’

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Updated 04 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Cute’

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Author: SIMON MAY

Cuteness has taken the planet by storm. Global sensations Hello Kitty and Pokémon, the works of artists Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum and E.T.—all reflect its gathering power.

But what does “cute” mean, as a sensibility and style? Why is it so pervasive? Is it all infantile fluff, or is there something more uncanny and even menacing going on—in a lighthearted way? In “The Power of Cute,” Simon May provides nuanced and surprising answers.