Divine Omniscience and Human Free Will

This book deals with an old conundrum: if God knows what we will choose tomorrow, how can we be free to choose otherwise? If all our choices are already written, is our freedom simply an illusion? This book provides a precise analysis of this dilemma using the tools of modern metaphysics and logic of time. With a focus on three intertwined concepts - God's nature, the formal structure of time, and the metaphysics time, including the relationship between temporal entities and a timeless God - the chapters analyse various solutions to the problem of foreknowledge and freedom, revealing the advantages and drawbacks of each. Building on this analysis, the authors advance constructive solutions, showing under what conditions an entity can be omniscient in the presence of free agents, and whether an eternal entity can know the tensed futures of the world. The metaphysics of time, its topology and the semantics of future tensed sentences are shown to be invaluable topics in dealing with this issue.

Combining investigations into the metaphysics of time with the discipline of temporal logic this monograph brings about important advancements in the philosophical understanding of an ancient and fascinating problem. The answer, if any, is hidden in the folds of time, in the elusive nature of this feature of reality and in the infinite branching of our lives.

Shows under what conditions an eternal entity can be omniscient in the presence of free agents Combines investigations into the metaphysics of time with the discipline of temporal logic Rigorously analyses the concepts of God's nature, the formal structure and metaphysics of time, and the relationship between temporal entities and an eternal God

Auteur

Ciro De Florio is Senior Researcher in Logic and Philosophy of Science at the Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of Milan, Italy
Aldo Frigerio is Associate Professor in Philosophy of Language at the Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of Milan, Italy

Contenu

1. The Battle for Free Will.- 2. Metaphysics and Logic of Time.- 3. Extreme Measures.- 4. God Knows the True Future: Ockhamism.- 5. Molinism.- 6. The Timeless Solution.