1. Ancient and Modern Issues on Free Will Dr. Ann T. Orlando 17 September 2007

2. Why Did You Come Here Tonight? Instinct: you were hungry and knew you could find food here Instinct: you were hungry and knew you could find food here Mind: you are curious and want to know something Mind: you are curious and want to know something Soul: you were led here by grace Soul: you were led here by grace In all three cases (appetitive, rational, spiritual nature) were you really free to chose? What does this mean? In all three cases (appetitive, rational, spiritual nature) were you really free to chose? What does this mean? Beware: Philosophically and theologically these questions get very deep, very fast Beware: Philosophically and theologically these questions get very deep, very fast

3. Outline What is Free Will? What is Free Will? Ancient Philosophical Issues Ancient Philosophical Issues Early Christian Understanding of Free Will Early Christian Understanding of Free Will Modern Philosophical Issues Modern Philosophical Issues Contemporary Catholic Understanding Contemporary Catholic Understanding

4. Defining Free Will CCC 1731: Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life. CCC 1731: Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Free Will” is a philosophical term for a particular sort of capacity of rational agents to choose a course of action from among various alternatives. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Free Will” is a philosophical term for a particular sort of capacity of rational agents to choose a course of action from among various alternatives. Note important link between free will and actions, that is ethics. Note important link between free will and actions, that is ethics. Note importance of personal responsibility because one is a rational human being. Basis of human dignity. Note importance of personal responsibility because one is a rational human being. Basis of human dignity. Note: Latin word virtus means power Note: Latin word virtus means power

5. Ancient Issues: Plato (427-347 BC) and Aristotle (384-322 BC) Note not ancient because solved; ancient because issues first raised in antiquity Note not ancient because solved; ancient because issues first raised in antiquity Plato and Aristotle on Virtue Plato and Aristotle on Virtue Plato (Socrates) unsure whether virtue is gift of the gods or can be learned Plato (Socrates) unsure whether virtue is gift of the gods or can be learned Aristotle believed that especially strong intelligent people could learn virtue Aristotle believed that especially strong intelligent people could learn virtue In both cases key is ability to control ‘animal instincts’ by reason In both cases key is ability to control ‘animal instincts’ by reason In both cases, freedom of will is linked not only to ethics (morality) but knowledge (epistemology) In both cases, freedom of will is linked not only to ethics (morality) but knowledge (epistemology) “If you know what is right you will do what is right” “If you know what is right you will do what is right”

6. Stoicism Founded by Zeno (335-263BC) in Athens Founded by Zeno (335-263BC) in Athens Free will is linked to Stoic physics Free will is linked to Stoic physics God everywhere, God as logos (rational necessity); God as a type of gas that permeates everything God everywhere, God as logos (rational necessity); God as a 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 law Natural law as part of Providence’s eternal law Dominant philosophy of Roman Empire Dominant philosophy of Roman Empire Seneca, Epictitus, Marcus Aurelius Seneca, Epictitus, Marcus Aurelius

7. Epicureanism Founded by Epicurus (341-270 BC) in Athens Founded by Epicurus (341-270 BC) in Athens God or gods are uninterested in material, eternal world God or gods are uninterested in material, eternal world Atomic motion with random swerve Atomic motion with random swerve Free will; not bound by ties of family or duty Free will; not bound by ties of family or duty No life after death No life after death Ethics based on pleasure Ethics based on pleasure Justice based upon contractual agreements Justice based upon contractual agreements Women encouraged to join as full members of schools Women encouraged to join as full members of schools Roundly condemned by all other philosophies; rabbinic word for atheist is derived from Epicurus Roundly condemned by all other philosophies; rabbinic word for atheist is derived from Epicurus Lucretus, Philodemus Lucretus, Philodemus

8. Early Christian Understanding Philosophically, a mix of Stoic and Epicurean Philosophically, a mix of Stoic and Epicurean God, Providence, is always at work and all things are in His control (see Acts 17:28) God, Providence, is always at work and all things are in His control (see Acts 17:28) But God has also endowed man with free will, and responsibility for his actions But God has also endowed man with free will, and responsibility for his actions St. Irenaeus (d. 202 AD): “Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master of his acts.” St. Irenaeus (d. 202 AD): “Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master of his acts.”

9. But What About Grace and Human Free Will St. Augustine (454-430 AD) early in his career wrote an important treatise supporting man’s free will, On Free Will St. Augustine (454-430 AD) early in his career wrote an important treatise supporting man’s free will, On Free Will Augustine very influenced by neoPlatonists Augustine very influenced by neoPlatonists But later, in response to Pelagius, modified his views somewhat But later, in response to Pelagius, modified his views somewhat Pelagian Controversy had lasting impact on how the Church viewed free will and grace Pelagian Controversy had lasting impact on how the Church viewed free will and grace

10. Pelagian Controversy: Issues Free will Free will Pelagian: humanity has total free will; as long as we know what is right we can do what is right; Pelagian: humanity has total free will; as long as we know what is right we can do what is right; Augustine: yes we have free will, but our ability to know and act is darkened by sin Augustine: yes we have free will, but our ability to know and act is darkened by sin Augustine also often means by free will a will freed from the inclination to sin Augustine also often means by free will a will freed from the inclination to sin Sin Sin Pelagians: Adam’s sin was his personal sin; sin is always a willful personal act committed against God by someone who should know better and be able to do better; within our own power to avoid sin Pelagians: Adam’s sin was his personal sin; sin is always a willful personal act committed against God by someone who should know better and be able to do better; within our own power to avoid sin Adam’s sin was a ‘disease’ that entered into humanity; only God’s grace can cure this disease; only with God’s grace can we really know and do the right Adam’s sin was a ‘disease’ that entered into humanity; only God’s grace can cure this disease; only with God’s grace can we really know and do the right

11. Pelagian Controversy: Issues (cont.) Grace Grace Pelagians: external enlightenment from God (e.g., Gospels) so we can know the good; also reward for doing good Pelagians: external enlightenment from God (e.g., Gospels) so we can know the good; also reward for doing good Augustine: grace is needed to do good Augustine: grace is needed to do good Justification Justification Pelagians: justified through our good works; it’s all up to us Pelagians: justified through our good works; it’s all up to us Augustine: only God’s freely given grace can justify Augustine: only God’s freely given grace can justify Predestination Predestination Pelagians: God does not predestine us Pelagians: God does not predestine us Augustine: Because of original sin, all justly condemned (massa damnata); by his graciousness, God elects a few for salvation; Baptism a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for salvation Augustine: Because of original sin, all justly condemned (massa damnata); by his graciousness, God elects a few for salvation; Baptism a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for salvation

12. Battle with Julian of Eclanum The key test case in the Pelagian controversy became the fate of unbaptized infants: The key test case in the Pelagian controversy became the fate of unbaptized infants: Would God really condemn a innocent baby who had no personal sin to be damned? Would God really condemn a innocent baby who had no personal sin to be damned? Julian of Eclanum pushed Augustine very hard on this point Julian of Eclanum pushed Augustine very hard on this point Referring both to Augustine and Augustine’s concept of God, he said “He is the persecutor of new born children.” Referring both to Augustine and Augustine’s concept of God, he said “He is the persecutor of new born children.” Pelagians believed that because infants and young children could not sin, they did not need to be Baptized. Baptism returned one to an innocent state, and gave the grace to lead a sinless life. Pelagians believed that because infants and young children could not sin, they did not need to be Baptized. Baptism returned one to an innocent state, and gave the grace to lead a sinless life.

13. Augustine’s Response Because all humans inherited Adam’s sin, we are all liable to damnation Because all humans inherited Adam’s sin, we are all liable to damnation But God knew that we would sin, so He already planned to send Mediator, Jesus Christ But God knew that we would sin, so He already planned to send Mediator, Jesus Christ “Now there are many more condemned by vengeance than 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 mankind.” (City of God, Book XXI) “Now there are many more condemned by vengeance than 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 mankind.” (City of God, Book XXI) “Unless infants are baptized, they are manifestly in danger of damnation” (On Forgiveness of Sins and Baptism III) “Unless infants are baptized, they are manifestly in danger of damnation” (On Forgiveness of Sins and Baptism III) “Number of elect will replace number of fallen angels” (Enchiridion XXIX) “Number of elect will replace number of fallen angels” (Enchiridion XXIX) Note: Church rejects Augustine’s view of double predestination at Council of Orange, 529. Note: Church rejects Augustine’s view of double predestination at Council of Orange, 529.

14. God’ Omniscience and Human Free Will Boethius (480-525) contemplates free will and Providence, especially God’s Omniscience Boethius (480-525) contemplates free will and Providence, especially God’s Omniscience Consolation of Philosophy written while in prison awaiting execution Consolation of Philosophy written while in prison awaiting execution Problem: if God knows everything infallibly for all time, how can we have free will (theological fatalism) Problem: if God knows everything infallibly for all time, how can we have free will (theological fatalism) Answer: A meditation on time, God is not is time, all time (past, present, future) are in God’s eternal present Answer: A meditation on time, God is not is time, all time (past, present, future) are in God’s eternal present What we experience is free will in time What we experience is free will in time

15. Reformation and Free Will Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk, leans heavily to side of grace acting over against free will Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk, leans heavily to side of grace acting over against free will Important debate with Erasmus called On Free Will. Important debate with Erasmus called On Free Will. Emphasize freedom from sin Emphasize freedom from sin What does it mean to be justified? What does it mean to be justified? Calvin goes further than Luther, embraces double predestination Calvin goes further than Luther, embraces double predestination Council of Trent responds that good works cooperate with grace Council of Trent responds that good works cooperate with grace

16. Early Modern Views of Free Will Scientific Revolution in physics in 16 th C leads to re-examination of free will Scientific Revolution in physics in 16 th C leads to re-examination of free will Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Man part of material universe, subject to laws of physics Man part of material universe, subject to laws of physics We do not have free will; our actions are determined by natural forces We do not have free will; our actions are determined by natural forces Justice is based on majority deciding what is in its best self-interest Justice is based on majority deciding what is in its best self-interest Freedom means that nothing hinders one form acting according to his nature Freedom means that nothing hinders one form acting according to his nature John Locke (1632-1704) John Locke (1632-1704) God endowed men with freedom God endowed men with freedom Emphasis in political freedom, man not naturally subject to absolute kings Emphasis in political freedom, man not naturally subject to absolute kings Justice is based on what is in best interest of free individuals Justice is based on what is in best interest of free individuals

17. Current Philosophical Debate Focused not so much on physics, but on computer science and biology Focused not so much on physics, but on computer science and biology None-the-less, basic issues in debate remain the same None-the-less, basic issues in debate remain the same John Searle: Understanding how human free will arises out of biology is the most important philosophical problem today. John Searle: Understanding how human free will arises out of biology is the most important philosophical problem today. Douglas Hofstadter: Free will does not exist. Douglas Hofstadter: Free will does not exist.

18. Contemporary Church’s View of Free Will Same as ancient Church Same as ancient Church We have free will We have free will We are responsible for our actions We are responsible for our actions And somehow this is part of God’s plan And somehow this is part of God’s plan We do not know how God will judge, but Church continues to reject double predestination We do not know how God will judge, but Church continues to reject double predestination Joint Catholic-Lutheran Declaration on Justification Joint Catholic-Lutheran Declaration on Justification See recent ruling on fate of unbaptized infants See recent ruling on fate of unbaptized infants