Freedom, Responsibility, Alternate Possibilities. The classical problem of could have done otherwise is here tackled by attempting to realize a meeting between the anglo–american and the continental traditions. To what extent can free will and responsibility obtain in an alternativelessworld? Is one really lacking in alternative possibilities? The suggested ontology of the possibility and of the effort underlines on the one hand the inadequacy of the compatibilist free will, which does not investigate the ultimate origin of actions; on the other hand it allows to evade the awkward requirement of a dogmatic and undiscussed free will, as suggested by metaphysical or by incompatibilist perspectives.