Compatibilism
Michael McKenna, D. Justin Coates · 2024 · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
This source is used as context evidence across 3 linked claims and 4 related evidence hubs. Its citation record is marked verified; that verifies the source trail, not the truth of any linked claim.
Summary
Detailed reference on the compatibilist position — that free will is consistent with determinism — and its main objections.
How this source is used on the map
The default canonical reference for what compatibilism actually claims, against which most popular versions are pitched.
Citation record
- Authors
- Michael McKenna, D. Justin Coates
- Year
- 2024
- Publication
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Source type
- Philosophy reference
- Map role
- context
- Credibility level
- primary
- Citation status
- Verified
- DOI
- Not recorded
- PubMed
- Not recorded
- Not recorded
Linked claims
Free will, properly understood, is compatible with determinism. The dominant view among philosophers in PhilPapers surveys.
Classical physics is deterministic; quantum mechanics complicates the picture; many-worlds and Bohmian readings restore determinism.
The strong claim that decisions are not fully determined by prior physical causes. Philosophically defended; no demonstrated mechanism.
Related evidence hubs
Physics-adjacent worldviews — block universe, many-worlds, simulation, free will.
Mind–brain relation, qualia, intentionality.
Determinism, free will, destiny.
Block universe, presentism, eternalism, emergent time.
Related research reports
Related sources
Useful for separating physical determinism (a contested empirical claim) from determinism in the popular sense.
Use this as the conceptual guardrail for destiny and 'it was meant to be' claims. It separates fatalism from causal determinism, which popular spirituality often blends together.
Establishes the philosophical landscape any modern empirical claim about free will is sitting inside.
Major reinterpretation of Libet — important counterweight to popular 'neuroscience disproves free will' framing.
The single study most often cited as evidence against libertarian free will. Almost every later debate is downstream of it.