Free will is self determination, as opposed to being determined by something other than the self. In human beings, free will only exists in an imperfect mode as free choice; for free choice is self determination among various already determined options. In a certain sense, man is necessarily determined by another. We cannot choose whether we will seek the good as opposed to the evil, or happiness; these things are already determined as the ultimate ends of every action.
This imperfect state of man’s will leads to a perpetual debate between the extremes of free will versus determination. Both sides will have a part of the truth: qua good, man is determined to his object, qua this good or that one man need not be determined to one option or another. Free choice is self determination among things already determined.
Just Thomism 
Jeff G said,
September 12, 2006 at 3:25 pm
“We cannot choose whether we will seek the good as opposed to the evil, or happiness; these things are completely determined.”
While I agree with the sentiment which is at the root of this claim, I think that putting this way is a bit too strong. I think that what we seek, be it good, bad, or whatever, can most accurately be described as a habit or capacity. But habits and capacties can be controlled to some degree. I think that people can control their dispositions, though this process is surely a prolonged and indirect one.
Nevertheless, the response which automatically comes is that the choice to foster certain habits or dispositions over others was determined by prior dispositions and habits, and so on all the way back. I agree with this, but our ability to control our future dispositions and habits is not inconsequential nonetheless.
shulamite8810 said,
September 12, 2006 at 8:30 pm
I agree with everything you say about habits, but I think it fits in just fine with a strong statement of determination. I made the case strong because I wanted to allow for as much truth as possible in the determinist position. Determinism, understood in relation to the human good or happness, really is absolute. The only failure of a determinist can make is in placing the object of determination in the wrong thing, or in thinking that nothing can happen outside of the determination. No one has ever done anything except for the sake of a good, or happiness, and in this sense man is determined to goodness, and to that to which constitutes his ultimate happiness. He can fail to attain this, to be sure, but this is purely accidental and outside of the intention by which he acts. Absolute determination of intention to one thing can include the possibility that something outside of intention might occur.
Jeff G said,
September 13, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Being a compatibilist myself, I completely agree. I just worry that your statement which I quoted could be used by others as an argument against, or at least an incentive to avoid determinism.
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