Free will

Definition

Free will is the philosophical concept that refers to the ability of individuals to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or divine intervention. It suggests that people have the agency to act according to their own desires and reasoning, which raises important questions about moral responsibility and accountability. This idea is central to many religious and literary works, where characters often grapple with their choices and the consequences of their actions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In both Milton's and Dante's works, free will is a crucial theme, as characters face significant moral choices that affect their ultimate fates.
2. Milton emphasizes free will as a divine gift given to Adam and Eve, allowing them to choose obedience or disobedience in Paradise Lost.
3. Dante presents free will in the context of sin and redemption, illustrating how choices lead souls to Heaven or Hell in the Divine Comedy.
4. The tension between free will and divine foreknowledge is a recurring issue in these texts, raising questions about how much control individuals truly have over their destinies.
5. Both authors depict the consequences of misusing free will, with tragic outcomes resulting from poor choices made by their characters.

Review Questions

• How do Milton and Dante illustrate the concept of free will in their respective narratives?
  • Milton illustrates free will through Adam and Eve's choice in Paradise Lost, emphasizing that their decision to disobey God leads to their fall from grace. In contrast, Dante explores free will through the choices made by souls in the Divine Comedy, where each individual's actions determine their placement in Heaven or Hell. Both authors highlight the importance of moral choices and the implications of exercising free will within their narratives.
• Discuss how the theme of free will interacts with the concepts of predestination and moral responsibility in both texts.
  • In both works, free will is juxtaposed with predestination, prompting characters and readers to consider how much control one has over their fate. In Paradise Lost, Milton argues that humans are endowed with free will, thus making them responsible for their choices. Similarly, Dante's portrayal of souls being judged for their actions illustrates moral responsibility tied to free will. Together, these themes prompt deeper reflections on the relationship between divine authority and human agency.
• Analyze the implications of free will as portrayed by Milton and Dante on contemporary understandings of morality and ethics.
  • Milton and Dante's depictions of free will offer profound insights into contemporary discussions on morality and ethics. By presenting characters who must navigate complex moral landscapes shaped by their choices, both authors emphasize the significance of personal accountability in ethical decision-making. Their works challenge readers today to reflect on how free will shapes our understanding of right and wrong, as well as the consequences of our actions within a framework that still grapples with divine influence and human agency.

Related terms

Predestination:

The doctrine that all events, including human actions, have been willed by God, leading some to argue against the existence of free will.

Moral Responsibility: The status of being accountable for one's actions, which relies on the notion that individuals possess free will to choose right from wrong.

Theodicy:

The study that attempts to justify God's goodness and omnipotence in the face of evil, often involving discussions about human free will and suffering.