In Philosophy, is determinism considered to be a metaphysical concept?

Answer 1

Hey Andrew,

The principal consequence of deterministic philosophy is that free will (except as defined in strict compatibilism) becomes an illusion. It is a popular misconception that determinism necessarily entails that humanity or individual humans cannot influence the future (a position known as Fatalism); this is not obviously the case, and the subject is still debated among metaphysicians. Determinism is associated with, and relies upon, the ideas of Materialism and Causality. Some of the philosophers who have dealt with this issue are William James, Pierre-Simon Laplace, Arthur Schopenhauer, Omar Khayyám, David Hume, Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant, Paul Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach and, more recently, John Searle and Ted Honderich.

Answer 2

Yes. Metaphysics deals with questions concerning the nature of reality. This includes questions of what is real or not (often found in debates between realists and anti-realists over the nature of certain sorts of entities), as well as attempts clarify the notions by which we understand the world, including the nature of properties, space, time, causality, and possibility. Determinisme vs. free will if very much involved in most of these discussions.

Answer 3

True,

One great philosopher has said :
"Once you draw or reach conclusion(s) you deviate very far off from the reality".
So determinism need not be considered "the reality" or even
being close to it.
So, determinism - Just another metaphysical concept.

Answer 4

Strictly speaking, no.

Why do you ask? What are you really wanting to know?