""A Careful and Strict Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of the Will"" is a philosophical treatise written by Jonathan Edwards, a prominent American theologian and preacher, in 1754. The book is a thorough analysis of the concept of free will, which was a topic of great interest and debate in the 18th century.Edwards argues that the popular notion of free will, which suggests that individuals have complete control over their choices and actions, is flawed. He contends that true free will is not the ...
Read More
""A Careful and Strict Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of the Will"" is a philosophical treatise written by Jonathan Edwards, a prominent American theologian and preacher, in 1754. The book is a thorough analysis of the concept of free will, which was a topic of great interest and debate in the 18th century.Edwards argues that the popular notion of free will, which suggests that individuals have complete control over their choices and actions, is flawed. He contends that true free will is not the ability to choose between good and evil, but rather the ability to choose only what is good. In other words, Edwards believes that humans are inherently sinful and that their wills are bound by their sinful nature.The book is divided into four parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the free will debate. In the first part, Edwards defines what he means by free will and outlines the prevailing notions of the concept. In the second part, he examines the philosophical arguments for and against free will. In the third part, Edwards provides a theological perspective on free will, arguing that it is incompatible with the Christian doctrine of original sin. Finally, in the fourth part, he discusses the practical implications of his argument for free will, including the role of personal responsibility and the nature of divine providence.Overall, ""A Careful and Strict Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of the Will"" is a highly influential work that continues to shape philosophical and theological discussions about free will to this day.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
Read Less
