Freedom vs. Determinism

[raptor13]

For my Philosophy class, I have to write a paper arguing a position about freedom vs. determinism. Of course, I will be defending the Catholic position on this issue...

so... um....

What exactly is the official Catholic position? :o

 

[Ampmonster]

what's determinism?

 

[Carrye]

You're arguing free will (fdm) v predestination (determinism), correct?

 

[raptor13]

You're arguing free will (fdm) v predestination (determinism), correct?

Basically, I have to find a position between those and defend that position. It's not limited to theological determinism (like calvinist predestination), but material determinism as well.

 

[Lifesaver]

People can be said to be predestined in the sense that God knows what will happen to them. But God only knows because they'll do what they choose.

Humans have free will (no-one is preordained to Hell). And both arguments against this (theological determinism or materialist determinism) are not very strong at all. And then there is the economical determinism... but that one is even weaker.

 

[Bulldog]

What's your definition of "dterminism"?

 

[marciadietrich]

Is there an absolute set Catholic viewpoint on this? Isn't there some flex between acknowledging freedom (our will) and God's will in terms of predestination, as long as it isn't a viewpoint like double predestination or strict predestination without freedom?

I thought Aquinas leaned towards some kind of predestination that doesn't also deny freedom of will. Believe it is Jimmy Akin who had the article reconciling Catholic belief to the reformed TULIP viewpoint, perhaps that article might point some things out for you. Here it is, scroll down for Thomistic view: http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/tulip.htm

Fulton Sheen said something like true freedom isn't doing anything you want, and it isn't being forced (lack of will) but it is freedom to do what is right.

Not sure if that helps or hurts. I don't know exactly what the materialistic determination would be.

 

[Lifesaver]

Reconcilliation between Catholicism and Calvinism?!
Only if they have ceased to believe in the things which differentiated Calvinism in the first place.

 

[raptor13]

Reconcilliation between Catholicism and Calvinism?!
Only if they have ceased to believe in the things which differentiated Calvinism in the first place.

Yea, that's usually how reconciliation works.

 

[raptor13]

I don't know exactly what the materialistic determination would be.

Materialistic determination essentially says that everything in the universe is the product of nothing more than the collision of atoms.

 

[Dream]

I've got a question about free will. God already knows what we are going to do with our life, because He knows all. Does that mean that we are predestined to lead that lifestyle, or is there a way that we can change it?

 

[Bushido216]

We can do whatever we want. God already knows what those choices that we'll make are, however. It's free-will if that's your take.