How Free Is Your Will?

I am no existentialist concerning the issue of freedom of the will. They posit that the will is wholly and unconditionally free. I disagree. I have always maintained that we are puppets more than we are self-determining.

As a moderate, of course, I hold that being free-willing is a matter of degree. The more sluggish we are; the more bestial we are; the more asleep we are; the more groupist we are; the more sinful we are--these preconditions make our will largely other-determined.

The more rational we are; the more alert we are; the more individuated we are; the more distinct as persons that we are--these preconditions correspond to possessing a wielding a will that is largely free and self-determining.