What are the powers of the ring?

[Jon S.]

Originally Posted by MangoPi

I have to disagree. From a simple ideological point of view; I don't like determinism as justification, just as much as I dislike dues ex mechina.

In the end, Frodo chose to bear the Ring from Rivendale, and then chose the keep it at Mt. Doom. Whether or not any other out could even exist, that is what happened. Frodo kept it.

From a *simple* ideological point of view, I would also have to agree. I've been thinking it over, though, and perhaps where our main disagreement lies is actually as to what is "determinism."

While itself imperfect, consider the Wikipedia definition:

"Determinism is the philosophical proposition that every event, including human cognition and action, is causally determined by an unbroken chain of prior occurrences."

I don't think this is what most of us are referring to in connection with severe addiction or compulsion. But even if it were, I'd argue that it would not negate the concept or possibility of free will.