Predestination versus human liberty

This Chapter 2 presents an overview of the approaches, some of whose more specific aspects are addressed in greater detail in the following chapters. We begin by noting the widespread practice of the divination arts in both past and present, pointing out their prevalence around the world. We distinguish between the “-logies” and the “mancies,” the former making greater use of techniques closer to those of modern science than the latter. We go on to give the reasons for the closer examination of astrology in Chapter 3. Next, we discuss the history of eugenics, from its ancient roots such as texts by Plato and Aristotle, to the Enlightenment and the writings of early nineteenth-century French physicians. This introduces Chapter 3 on eugenics. Lastly, we examine the various meanings of “freedom,” a concept that Chapter 4 addresses only in its current meaning. The notion emerged in Greece in the eighth century B.C.E. and later in Rome. Its definition at the time was very different from the one assigned to it by the monotheistic religions of the early modern age, i.e., free will. The scientific revolution that developed in the sixteenth century further modified the concept. Descartes gave it a philosophical dimension, while classical liberalism and the industrial revolution gave it a political dimension.