The view that determinism is true and incompatible with free will and moral responsibility. Hard determinists conclude that since our actions are determined by prior causes, we are never truly free or morally responsible.
The term contrasts with 'soft determinism' (another name for compatibilism). The position was notably defended by philosophers like Paul Holbach and more recently by Derk Pereboom, drawing on scientific evidence about the determined nature of physical processes.
Hard determinists bite the bullet and say that ultimately, nobody deserves praise or blame for anything — Hitler and Mother Teresa were equally just products of their genes and environment! This seems to undermine our entire moral and legal framework, yet it may be the logical conclusion of taking scientific determinism seriously.
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