This book investigates the fundamental paradox between the philosophical argument against the existence of free will and the persistent human psychological commitment to believing in it. Galen Strawson, a prominent philosopher, utilizes a rigorous analytical framework to dissect the nature of moral responsibility. He argues that the ordinary understanding of free will is logically untenable, yet he acknowledges that human beings are cognitively structured to believe in their own agency. The text serves as a detailed examination of why this belief remains so deeply entrenched despite its apparent lack of metaphysical foundation.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text in contemporary debates regarding moral responsibility and the philosophy of action. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong background in analytic philosophy to fully grasp the nuances of Strawson's arguments.