Title: What is the difference between determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism? - Quora
Headings: What is the difference between determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism?
What is the difference between determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism?
Alex Baker
Bruce Silverstein
Bruce Silverstein

Content: Determinism (also known as “Causal Determinism”) is a metaphysical paradigm that posits that all activity in the universe is both (i) the effect of [all] prior activity, and (ii) the only activity that can occur given the prior activity. That is what is meant by saying that everything is “determined” — it is the inexorable consequence of activity that preceded it. In a deterministic universe, everything that has ever occurred, is occurring, and will occur since the universe came into existence (however that might have occurred) can only occur exactly as it has occurred, is occurring, or will occur, and cannot possibly occur in any different manner. Determinists believe that the universe is, in fact, deterministic. Libertarianism is a metaphysical paradigm that accepts Incompatibilism and also posits that Free Will exists in its pure form (which logically necessitates a belief that Causal Determinism is false). Notably, Libertarianism does not posit that all activity occurs without a cause. For example, Libertarianism recognizes that a golf ball travels from a golf tee to a place on the fairway more than 100 feet away as a result of being struck by a golf club. But, Libertarianism does posit that the golfer possessed the Free Will to determine where, when and how to strike the golf ball. Compatibilism is a position that seeks to harmonize Determinism and Libertarianism. Compatibilists believe that the universe is deterministic, and that humans have Free Will (albeit, not it its purest form).