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Can the Individual Control His Conduct?: Is Man a Free Agent or Is He the Slave of His Biological Equipment?
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025532257
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 68
Weight: 0.24
Height: 0.14 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Can the Individual Control His Conduct?: Is Man a Free Agent or Is He the Slave of His Biological Equipment? is a thought-provoking examination of the age-old debate between free will and determinism. Through a spirited intellectual exchange, famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow and philosopher Thomas Vernor Smith investigate whether human actions are the result of conscious choice or the inevitable product of biological and environmental forces.
Darrow, well-known for his landmark legal defenses, applies his skepticism toward traditional moral responsibility, arguing that an individual's biological equipment dictates their path in life. His perspective challenges the punitive nature of the legal system, suggesting that behavior is a symptom of physical and hereditary factors rather than personal malice. In contrast, T.V. Smith provides a philosophical framework for understanding human agency and the societal necessity of moral accountability. This work captures a pivotal moment in the 1920s when scientific advancements began to deeply influence legal and ethical thought. It remains a vital text for students of philosophy, criminology, and psychology, offering a concise yet profound look at the forces that shape human destiny and the limits of individual control.
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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