In this Master's thesis, I explore the impact of determinism on issues of futilism, free will and
responsibility, as well as its potential effects on the individual and society. I do not argue for
determinism, but ask »What if?«. First, I outline the problems of determinism and fatalism, and argue
that fatalism cannot be easily dismissed, which isn't anything to worry about, as fatalism does not imply
futilism, that philosophers fear. This is followed by a review of the free will debate, where I argue for
incompatibilism and incompatibilist notion of free will. In the second half of the thesis I explore the
potential practical impact of hard determinism, showing that hard determinism doesn't threaten ethics
or moral action, nor interpersonal relations, meaning of life or societal order. What hard determinism
does threaten, however, is moral responsibility as just deserts, but I argue that abandoning such notion
would make for a more just society, especially in regards to the justice sistem, handling of mistakes and
increased compassion.
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