Justin asked:

Basically this question relates to the age old argument about whether or not man has free will or if his
actions are predetermined. My question is: What does it matter whether man has free will or not if he
fails to, or is incapable of, comprehending the world he inhabits? This seems like the sort of thing that
Sartre or Soren Kierkegaard would have touched on, but I can't locate anything directly related. I
would love a compelling argument but would be pleased to find any related material.

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I don't think that your question is about free will. Nor do I think that Sartre's or Kierkegaard's views are
especially relevant. What you have discovered, in thinking about the question of freedom of action, is
the fact that human poweris limited by the extent of our knowledge.

Free will is not the same thing as power. If I don't know which bottle of medicine will alleviate my
medical condition, and which will make it worse, I lack the power to make myself well. However, I
have the freedom to pick up any bottle I choose.

The more we understand, the more we comprehend, the more real choices we have, and the less we
have to rely on hit-and-miss or guesswork. In short, knowledge is power.

Geoffrey Klempner