Ancient and Ancient and Modern Issues Modern Issues

on Free Willon Free WillDr. Ann T. OrlandoDr. Ann T. Orlando

17 September 200717 September 2007

Why Did You Come Here Why Did You Come Here Tonight?Tonight?

Instinct: you were hungry and knew you Instinct: you were hungry and knew you could find food herecould find food here

Mind: you are curious and want to know Mind: you are curious and want to know something something

Soul: you were led here by graceSoul: you were led here by grace In all three cases (appetitive, rational, In all three cases (appetitive, rational,

spiritual nature) were you really free to spiritual nature) were you really free to chose? What does this mean? chose? What does this mean?

Beware: Philosophically and theologically Beware: Philosophically and theologically these questions get very deep, very fastthese questions get very deep, very fast

OutlineOutline

What is Free Will?What is Free Will? Ancient Philosophical IssuesAncient Philosophical Issues Early Christian Understanding of Early Christian Understanding of

Free WillFree Will Modern Philosophical IssuesModern Philosophical Issues Contemporary Catholic Contemporary Catholic

UnderstandingUnderstanding

Defining Free WillDefining Free Will CCC 1731: Freedom is the power, rooted in reason CCC 1731: Freedom is the power, rooted in reason

and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that and so and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life.responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Free Will” is a Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Free Will” is a philosophical term for a particular sort of capacity of philosophical term for a particular sort of capacity of rational agents to choose a course of action from rational agents to choose a course of action from among various alternatives. among various alternatives.

Note important link between free will and actions, Note important link between free will and actions, that is ethics.that is ethics.

Note importance of personal responsibility because Note importance of personal responsibility because one is a rational human being. Basis of human one is a rational human being. Basis of human dignity.dignity.

Note: Latin word virtus means powerNote: Latin word virtus means power

Ancient Issues: Plato (427-Ancient Issues: Plato (427-347 BC) and Aristotle (384-347 BC) and Aristotle (384-

322 BC)322 BC) Note not ancient because solved; ancient because Note not ancient because solved; ancient because

issues first raised in antiquityissues first raised in antiquity Plato and Aristotle on VirtuePlato and Aristotle on Virtue Plato (Socrates) unsure whether virtue is gift of Plato (Socrates) unsure whether virtue is gift of

the gods or can be learnedthe gods or can be learned Aristotle believed that especially strong intelligent Aristotle believed that especially strong intelligent

people could learn virtuepeople could learn virtue In both cases key is ability to control ‘animal In both cases key is ability to control ‘animal

instincts’ by reason instincts’ by reason In both cases, freedom of will is linked not only to In both cases, freedom of will is linked not only to

ethics (morality) but knowledge (epistemology)ethics (morality) but knowledge (epistemology) ““If you know what is right you will do what is If you know what is right you will do what is

right”right”

StoicismStoicism

Founded by Zeno (335-263BC) in AthensFounded by Zeno (335-263BC) in Athens Free will is linked to Stoic physicsFree will is linked to Stoic physics God everywhere, God as logos (rational necessity); God as God everywhere, God as logos (rational necessity); God as

a type of gas that permeates everythinga type of gas that permeates everything His providence rules everything (see Acts 17:28)His providence rules everything (see Acts 17:28) Happiness is following the will of God (Providence)Happiness is following the will of God (Providence) Ethics based on following God’s plan for you; Ethics based on following God’s plan for you; Really is no free will; Really is no free will; Natural law as part of Providence’s eternal lawNatural law as part of Providence’s eternal law Dominant philosophy of Roman EmpireDominant philosophy of Roman Empire Seneca, Epictitus, Marcus AureliusSeneca, Epictitus, Marcus Aurelius

EpicureanismEpicureanism Founded by Epicurus (341-270 BC) in AthensFounded by Epicurus (341-270 BC) in Athens God or gods are uninterested in material, eternal God or gods are uninterested in material, eternal

worldworld Atomic motion with random swerveAtomic motion with random swerve Free will; not bound by ties of family or dutyFree will; not bound by ties of family or duty No life after deathNo life after death Ethics based on pleasureEthics based on pleasure Justice based upon contractual agreementsJustice based upon contractual agreements Women encouraged to join as full members of schoolsWomen encouraged to join as full members of schools Roundly condemned by all other philosophies; Roundly condemned by all other philosophies;

rabbinic word for atheist is derived from Epicurusrabbinic word for atheist is derived from Epicurus Lucretus, PhilodemusLucretus, Philodemus

Early Christian Early Christian UnderstandingUnderstanding

Philosophically, a mix of Stoic and Philosophically, a mix of Stoic and EpicureanEpicurean

God, Providence, is always at work and all God, Providence, is always at work and all things are in His control (see Acts 17:28)things are in His control (see Acts 17:28)

But God has also endowed man with free But God has also endowed man with free will, and responsibility for his actionswill, and responsibility for his actions

St. Irenaeus (d. 202 AD): “Man is rational St. Irenaeus (d. 202 AD): “Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master of his acts.”free will and is master of his acts.”

But What About Grace and But What About Grace and Human Free WillHuman Free Will

St. Augustine (454-430 AD) early in his St. Augustine (454-430 AD) early in his career wrote an important treatise career wrote an important treatise supporting man’s free will, supporting man’s free will, On Free WillOn Free Will

Augustine very influenced by Augustine very influenced by neoPlatonistsneoPlatonists

But later, in response to Pelagius, But later, in response to Pelagius, modified his views somewhatmodified his views somewhat

Pelagian Controversy had lasting impact Pelagian Controversy had lasting impact on how the Church viewed free will and on how the Church viewed free will and gracegrace

Pelagian Controversy: Pelagian Controversy: IssuesIssues

Free willFree will Pelagian: humanity has total free will; as long as we Pelagian: humanity has total free will; as long as we

know what is right we can do what is right;know what is right we can do what is right; Augustine: yes we have free will, but our ability to Augustine: yes we have free will, but our ability to

know and act is darkened by sinknow and act is darkened by sin Augustine also often means by free will a will freed Augustine also often means by free will a will freed

from the inclination to sinfrom the inclination to sin SinSin

Pelagians: Adam’s sin was his personal sin; sin is Pelagians: Adam’s sin was his personal sin; sin is always a willful personal act committed against God always a willful personal act committed against God by someone who should know better and be able to by someone who should know better and be able to do better; within our own power to avoid sindo better; within our own power to avoid sin

Adam’s sin was a ‘disease’ that entered into Adam’s sin was a ‘disease’ that entered into humanity; only God’s grace can cure this disease; humanity; only God’s grace can cure this disease; only with God’s grace can we really know and do the only with God’s grace can we really know and do the rightright

Pelagian Controversy: Issues Pelagian Controversy: Issues (cont.)(cont.)

GraceGrace Pelagians: external enlightenment from God (e.g., Gospels) Pelagians: external enlightenment from God (e.g., Gospels)

so we can know the good; also reward for doing goodso we can know the good; also reward for doing good Augustine: grace is needed to do goodAugustine: grace is needed to do good

JustificationJustification Pelagians: justified through our good works; it’s all up to usPelagians: justified through our good works; it’s all up to us Augustine: only God’s freely given grace can justifyAugustine: only God’s freely given grace can justify

PredestinationPredestination Pelagians: God does not predestine usPelagians: God does not predestine us Augustine: Because of original sin, all justly condemned Augustine: Because of original sin, all justly condemned

(massa damnata); by his graciousness, God elects a few for (massa damnata); by his graciousness, God elects a few for salvation; Baptism a necessary, but not sufficient, condition salvation; Baptism a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for salvationfor salvation

Battle with Julian of Battle with Julian of EclanumEclanum

The key test case in the Pelagian controversy The key test case in the Pelagian controversy became the fate of unbaptized infants: became the fate of unbaptized infants:

Would God really condemn a innocent baby who Would God really condemn a innocent baby who had no personal sin to be damned?had no personal sin to be damned? Julian of Eclanum pushed Augustine very hard on this Julian of Eclanum pushed Augustine very hard on this

pointpoint Referring both to Augustine and Augustine’s concept of Referring both to Augustine and Augustine’s concept of

God, he said “He is the persecutor of new born God, he said “He is the persecutor of new born children.”children.”

Pelagians believed that because infants and young Pelagians believed that because infants and young children could not sin, they did not need to be children could not sin, they did not need to be Baptized. Baptism returned one to an innocent Baptized. Baptism returned one to an innocent state, and gave the grace to lead a sinless life. state, and gave the grace to lead a sinless life.

Augustine’s ResponseAugustine’s Response Because all humans inherited Adam’s sin, we are all liable Because all humans inherited Adam’s sin, we are all liable

to damnationto damnation But God knew that we would sin, so He already planned to But God knew that we would sin, so He already planned to

send Mediator, Jesus Christsend Mediator, Jesus Christ ““Now there are many more condemned by vengeance than Now there are many more condemned by vengeance than

are released by mercy; and the reason for this is that it are released by mercy; and the reason for this is that it should in this way be made plain what was the due of all should in this way be made plain what was the due of all mankind.” (mankind.” (City of God, City of God, Book XXI)Book XXI)

““Unless infants are baptized, they are manifestly in danger Unless infants are baptized, they are manifestly in danger of damnation” (of damnation” (On Forgiveness of Sins and Baptism III)On Forgiveness of Sins and Baptism III)

““Number of elect will replace number of fallen angels” Number of elect will replace number of fallen angels” ((Enchiridion XXIX)Enchiridion XXIX)

Note: Church rejects Augustine’s view Note: Church rejects Augustine’s view of double predestination at Council of of double predestination at Council of Orange, 529.Orange, 529.

God’ Omniscience and God’ Omniscience and Human Free WillHuman Free Will

Boethius (480-525) contemplates free will and Boethius (480-525) contemplates free will and Providence, especially God’s OmniscienceProvidence, especially God’s Omniscience Consolation of PhilosophyConsolation of Philosophy written while in prison written while in prison

awaiting executionawaiting execution Problem: if God knows everything infallibly Problem: if God knows everything infallibly

for all time, how can we have free will for all time, how can we have free will (theological fatalism)(theological fatalism)

Answer: A meditation on time, God is not is Answer: A meditation on time, God is not is time, all time (past, present, future) are in time, all time (past, present, future) are in God’s eternal presentGod’s eternal present What we experience is free will in timeWhat we experience is free will in time

Reformation and Free Reformation and Free WillWill

Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk, leans heavily to side of grace acting monk, leans heavily to side of grace acting over against free willover against free will Important debate with Erasmus called Important debate with Erasmus called On Free On Free

Will. Will. Emphasize freedom from sinEmphasize freedom from sin What does it mean to be justified?What does it mean to be justified?

Calvin goes further than Luther, embraces Calvin goes further than Luther, embraces double predestinationdouble predestination

Council of Trent responds that good works Council of Trent responds that good works cooperate with gracecooperate with grace

Early Modern Views of Early Modern Views of Free WillFree Will

Scientific Revolution in physics in 16Scientific Revolution in physics in 16thth C leads to re- C leads to re-examination of free willexamination of free will

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Man part of material universe, subject to laws of physicsMan part of material universe, subject to laws of physics We do not have free will; our actions are determined by We do not have free will; our actions are determined by

natural forcesnatural forces Justice is based on majority deciding what is in its best self-Justice is based on majority deciding what is in its best self-

interestinterest Freedom means that nothing hinders one form acting Freedom means that nothing hinders one form acting

according to his natureaccording to his nature John Locke (1632-1704)John Locke (1632-1704)

God endowed men with freedomGod endowed men with freedom Emphasis in political freedom, man not naturally subject to Emphasis in political freedom, man not naturally subject to

absolute kingsabsolute kings Justice is based on what is in best interest of free individualsJustice is based on what is in best interest of free individuals

Current Philosophical Current Philosophical DebateDebate

Focused not so much on physics, but on Focused not so much on physics, but on computer science and biologycomputer science and biology

None-the-less, basic issues in debate None-the-less, basic issues in debate remain the sameremain the same

John Searle: Understanding how human John Searle: Understanding how human free will arises out of biology is the most free will arises out of biology is the most important philosophical problem today.important philosophical problem today.

Douglas Hofstadter: Free will does not Douglas Hofstadter: Free will does not exist.exist.

Contemporary Church’s Contemporary Church’s View of View of Free WillFree Will

Same as ancient ChurchSame as ancient Church We have free willWe have free will We are responsible for our actionsWe are responsible for our actions And somehow this is part of God’s planAnd somehow this is part of God’s plan We do not know how God will judge, but We do not know how God will judge, but

Church continues to reject double Church continues to reject double predestinationpredestination Joint Catholic-Lutheran Declaration on JustificationJoint Catholic-Lutheran Declaration on Justification

See recent ruling on fate of unbaptized See recent ruling on fate of unbaptized infantsinfants