Posing the question - if determinism is true, and free will an illusion, what are the consequences? - this book attempts to disprove the traditional doctrines about the consequences of determinism, compatibilism and incompatibilism.

`His discussion of the consequences of determinism ... [is] a quite outstanding contribution that deserves the widest readership.` Times Higher Education Supplement `There has been nothing in the recent past to compare in audacity, scope and engagement with Ted Honderich's magnum opus ... The book works simultaneously at different levels: as an original contribution to timeless debates; as a comprehensive scholarly text book of contemporary work in progress; as a synoptic world view on a classic (but now unfashionable) scale; as an extended exercise in the difficult process of reflexive meta-philosophic commentary; and, perhaps most significantly, as the record of the personal odyssey of someone for whom philosophy has been a matter of life and death, with a tough-minded/tender-hearted message for fellow mortals.' Journal of Applied Science `This big and important book resolutely and meticulously follows where the best in western science and philosophy lead.' Journal of Applied Science `Ted Honderich has written the most important book on the subject of determinism to appear in recent decades.' Roy Weatherford `Professor Honderich provides a treatise that is learned, logical and humane and may convince us that Determinism is both true and tolerable. In the process he provides a theory of the nature of minds and brains that helps us to solve many problems.' Professor J. Z. Young, Brain 'truly encyclopedic contribution to the controversy surrounding determinism ... his book is indispensable to anyone who is eager to become clear about the present power of determinism.' Ingmar Persson, Lund University, Theoria 'One can agree with much of what Honderich is saying here ... and ethicists and other philosophers will find a great deal that is interesting in his discussion of Spinoza, Hegel, and even Shelley ... I have no hesitancy in recommending A Theory of Determinism to anyone interested in the wide range of topics it considers.' Michael Slote, University of Maryland, The Philosophical Review, Vol. C, No. 4 (October 1991)