Understanding the Free-Will Controversy

“In this short but rich book, Thomas Talbott brings considerable insight to bear on a perennial set of issues in philosophy. It is a book with many virtues. Talbot deftly summarizes a large swath of recent work on the metaphysics of free will and philosophy of religion. But he also develops an original model for the essence of moral freedom and a compelling defense of the compatibility of God’s foreknowledge with human freedom. Highly recommended.”


—Kevin Timpe, Calvin College





“Thomas Talbott is the leading philosophical defender of theological universalism—the claim that all people are ultimately reconciled to God. In arguing for universalism, Talbott has developed important and enlightening views on the nature of free will. Understanding the Free-Will Controversy is, therefore, a welcome textbook on the subject and is the best introduction to the topic on the market. Talbott presents all views clearly and fairly but doesn’t shy away from taking controversial positions. Highly recommended!”


—Thomas D. Senor, University of Arkansas





“It is often assumed that in order to be free in any given situation, one must always have the ability to act otherwise. Professor Talbott analyzes this premise in a way which is valuable independently of the dispute between theists and atheists.”


—David Artman, author of Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism