" can say that if the postulate of determinism is valid, then the future will be accounted for in terms of the past, and this means that if one knew enough the past, would be able to predict the future. But in that case, what will happen in the future is already decided. And how can say that I'm free? What will happen will happen, and nothing I do can stop it. If determinism is correct, I am hopeless prisoner of fate.
But what is meant by saying that the future course of events is already decided? If what is meant is that someone has ordered it, then the statement is false. But if all it means is that in principle it is possible to deduce a number of particular facts of the past, together with appropriate general laws, then though this is true, it does not, ultimately, that I am the prisoner of fate, not choice. Does not even imply that my actions do not introduce any difference to the future, because they are causes, as well as effects, so that, if they were different, the consequences would be different. The implication is that my behavior can be predicted, but to say that my behavior can be predicted not to say that I am acting under constraint. Actually it is true that I can not escape my destiny if it is understood that this does not mean they'll do what I do. But this is a tautology, is exactly what a tautology is going to happen what will happen. And tautologies as they do not prove anything about the freedom of the will .
Alfred J. Ayer, "Philosophical Essays", Planeta-Agostini, Barcelona, \u200b\u200b1986.
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