Free Will Vs. Gods Plan
In his book, "The City of God Against the Pagans," Augustine delved into the complex idea of the will. When contemplating choice or free will, I often steer clear of religious contexts. It's a paradox to suggest that God bestowed upon us the capacity for rational thought and choice, yet he predetermines all our actions. This discussion in class left me grappling with the complexity of this idea. If God predetermines our lives, and every choice we make is already known by him, then what is free will? How can the notion of free will coexist with the idea that our lives are oriented in accordance with God's plan? These questions, I believe, are not meant to be answered definitively but rather to stimulate our curiosity and deepen our understanding of these concepts.
Free will, in its essence, is the freedom to choose between two options and select the one that aligns more with the pious path rather than the earthly one. The pleasures and desires that humans cultivate can distort the sanctity of their souls, diverting their attention from God to Earth. Regardless of a person's piety, God preordains their actions and decisions, so it is not the individual who is wrong or evil, but their actions. This perspective on human behavior may seem insular, as it allows for bad behavior to be justified and rationalized. If everything is part of God's plan, then why would an individual choose the righteous path when what is easier may not always align with what is good? These reflections, born out of my personal struggle with these ideas, encourage us to delve deeper into the intricacies of human nature and divine intervention.
Our freedom lies in our ability to choose the good over the bad. The path that leads to human pleasure and desire may seem more enticing, but the path of resistance brings rewards. The freedom we possess is in choosing goodness for its own sake, avoiding inherently negative or 'evil' actions, in the hope of experiencing true happiness in the City of God. This notion of true happiness, I believe, inspires us to strive for the good, even in the face of temptation and adversity.
The concept of the choice and how it pertains to our understanding of God is one that I will continue to struggle with. However, I find comfort in the notion that choosing to do good can lead to greater happiness beyond our existence on Earth. As we delve into biblical narratives, one such example being the tale of the original sin, we witness how humans have the freedom to exercise their will and make choices that can either be virtuous or immoral. The story of Adam and Eve highlights our inherent weakness, as our will has the potential to sway in either direction.
I enjoyed this text because it presented me with a religious framework that challenged how I view choice. When bringing God or faith into discussions surrounding free will, I struggle to see the relation simply because God is an omnipotent force who has preordained what our lives will be. To say that man has free will with this as the framework for such a claim is a paradox because freedom and predetermination are opposed in their meanings. To be free means you have the capacity to do what you wish, but predetermination means that your path is already made for you, and regardless of what you choose to do, you will always be going down that same path. It takes the randomness out of human behavior and relations, making it nearly impossible to rationalize how men can be free while being beholden to God's plan.