Budapest Philosophy Group

“In the mind there is no absolute or free will; but the mind is determined to wish this or that by a cause, which has also been determined by another cause, and this last by another cause, and so on to infinity.”
— Baruch Spinoza

Session Outline
If you are new to philosophy or the debate on free will and determinism, don’t worry—this discussion is for everyone, no previous knowledge required.

Let’s start with this thought:
Imagine standing at the edge of a vast labyrinth. Every step you take seems both chosen and yet somehow already mapped, controlled by invisible forces beyond your sight. Within this maze of existence, the question arises: Are we truly free to choose our path, or do our steps follow a fate already programmed? This tension between freedom and determinism sparks a restless pondering—between the desire for control and the recognition of unseen causes. It is in this space of uncertainty and possibility that the nature of human agency is tested.
Is free will an illusion in a cause-and-effect world? And if so, what does that mean for our responsibility, our moral choices, or the meaning we give our lives?

Join us to share your thoughts on moments when you felt the pull between destiny and self-determination, and how you make sense of your power to choose.
Our debate will explore the intricate dance between necessity and freedom, responsibility and fate, illusion and reality.

Introduction (15 minutes)
We start with a short introduction of the guests.

Group Discussion (1 hour and 45 minutes)
Here are some questions to spark the debate:
• Have you ever felt like your choices were truly your own, or do you think something else was guiding you?
• If every event has a cause, can we really be free to decide anything? Why or why not?
• Does believing in free will make you act differently than if you thought everything was predetermined? How so?
• Can a choice be free if it’s influenced by your upbringing, biology, or environment?
• If determinism is true, what does that mean for blame or praise—should people be held responsible for their actions?
• How do you experience moments when you feel stuck between wanting to control your life and feeling controlled by outside forces?
• Can science prove or disprove free will? Should we believe it anyway even if it can’t?
• Is it better to live as if we are free, even if that freedom is only a perception?
• How do randomness or chance fit into whether we have free will or not? Do they help or complicate the idea?
• If you accept determinism, how might it change your view of yourself and your future?

How to contribute: The Philosophy Club is collaborating with the venue (Kovasz) and epicurea.hu. You are free to drink whatever you want, but if interested, we arranged for significant discounts on alcohol-free wine glasses, available for pre-order before the event:
• White wine (Disfrutand00) 1000 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/verdejo-by-disfrutand00-alcohol-free-white-wine-glass
• Red wine (Tiptop) 1500 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/tiptop-s-merlot-from-bordeaux-alcohol-free-red-wine-glass
• Red wine (Zeronimo Zweigelt) 2000 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/zweigelt-by-zeronimo-alcohol-free-red-wine-glass
Thank you!