Who's Afraid of Determinism?

A philosophy meetup on freedom, necessity, and responsibility

Is everything that happens inevitable? If our actions are determined by prior causes—biology, upbringing, laws of nature—what becomes of free will, moral responsibility, praise and blame? And if determinism is true, should we be afraid of it at all?

In this meetup we’ll tackle determinism from multiple angles:

Hard determinism: if determinism is true, free will is an illusion.

Libertarianism: genuine freedom requires indeterminism.

Compatibilism: freedom and determinism can coexist.

We’ll discuss classic thought experiments (Frankfurt cases, Laplace’s demon), contemporary worries about agency and accountability, and the existential stakes: guilt, meaning, and self-understanding in a determined world.

Format:
A short introduction to frame the problem, followed by guided small-group discussion and a plenary debate. No prior expertise required—come curious, skeptical, or ready to defend a position (even one you don’t fully believe).

Guiding questions:

If determinism is true, could you have done otherwise?

Do responsibility and punishment still make sense?

Is fear of determinism philosophical—or psychological?

Which view actually fits our lived experience?

All are welcome. Bring your arguments—and your anxieties.

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