The Incompatibility of an Omniscient God and the Notion of Free Will
Either God Isn’t Great, or We Aren’t Free… “There Can Be Only One.”
Divine Command Theory
The idea behind Divine Command Theory is that when one is presented with an ethical dilemma, one should simply follow the mandate God has established. Indeed to many people, what God commands is absolute. After all, one of the Ten Commandments orders us not to covet our neighbor’s wife. This rule has no exception. It does not say, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife… unless she’s hot.” The problem with this ideology is that human beings greatly differ in what they believe God commands. George W. Bush believes God commanded him to invade the Middle East. Two of my students believe God commands them to travel to third world countries and pass out Bibles. (Unfortunately for the citizens of these countries, the Bibles aren’t edible… nor do they contain tuberculosis medication.) My neighbor believes he is following the will of God by reaching out to lost teenage souls “heading down the wrong path.” He will be busy for a while. (On a side note, between my neighbor and George W., who do you think is most likely representing God’s hypothetical will? With a choice between “start a war” and “help people,” the answer should be obvious.)
A tribute to David Hume, famous philosopher, skeptic, and doubter of God’s existence sits outside St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland
In order for one to assert that “Blow up a preschool” isn’t something God would order, one needs to know certain things about God Herself, specifically, God’s qualities. For example, if your mother is a distrustful, possessive person, you can be reasonably sure that the relayed directive, “Go ahead and take Mom’s car out all night. She said she doesn’t care,” is not something your mother is likely to declare based on your mother’s previously mentioned qualities. Likewise, the instruction, “Blow up a preschool,” cannot be a decree of God based on the qualities religious individuals believe God to possess.
God’s Qualities
In the Judeo-Christian conception, God is a perfect being. St. Anselm established in his “Ontological Proof for the Existence of God” that God was the greatest conceivable being (I’m paraphrasing). God is the greatest being we can think of and therefore, God is perfect. According to this standard, God would have to be omniscient, because to know all is greater than to know only some. God would also have to be omnipotent, because to be all-powerful is greater than to be very, moderately, or minimally powerful. God must be omnibenevolent, because it is greater to be all good rather than slightly good or almost all good. And finally, God must be omnipresent, because it is greater to be everywhere all the time than to be limited by time and space. Because of these qualifications, we can be sure that if God does exist, God would not command the destruction of a preschool, because this certainly would not be a good thing to do, and an omnibenevolent God would only do good things.
The Paradox
These established and also widely accepted divine characteristics present a significant logical problem however. If God is omniscient (all knowing), then God must be aware of everything you think, thought, and will think in the future, as well as everything you do, have done, and will do in the future. (If God is, for some reason, unable to do this, then God’s knowledge would be limited, and she would therefore not be all-knowing.) The problem is this. If God knows, because of Her omniscience, that when presented with a choice between “A” or “B,” you are going to choose “A,” then you are incapable of choosing “B.” If you chose “B,” you would prove God wrong, thus making God not only not omniscient, but fallible as well, and perfection does not allow for the possibility of fallibility. If God is all knowing, then God knows which option you will pick. God’s omniscience does not even allow for the possibility that you might pick “B,” because if it is possible for you to choose “B,” then God’s awareness that you will pick “A” is merely a guess and not knowledge, thereby undoing God’s omniscience.
Because of God’s knowledge that you will choose option “A” over option “B,” which renders you incapable of choosing “B,” the notion that human beings have free will is unfeasible. Naturally, human free will can exist if either God does not exist or God is not omniscient. However if God does exist, and followers insist upon Her perfection (which must include omniscience, because it is greater to know all than to know some), then logically, human free will cannot simultaneously exist.
The Retort
Those bent set on holding on to the notion that God is omniscient and humans are free to make any choice they wish, might concede that perhaps God bestowed Her Earth-bound children with the “illusion” of free will. In other words, God knows that we will choose “A,” and we are in fact unable to choose “B” lest we prove an infallible being wrong, but God allows us to believe we can choose “B.”
Since God is often viewed and described as the eternal parent, perhaps this analogy is appropriate. After all, sometimes parents give their children illusions for their own benefit. The myth of Santa Claus is one of these illusions. Parents tell their children this tale for several reasons; to coerce them to behave, to give them a sense of wonder and whimsy, or perhaps in order to maintain a tradition. At some point, the child figures out that there is no Santa Claus, and his parents have lied to him. The child may feel betrayed, confused, angry, and in rare cases, appreciative for all the fun he had enjoying the myth.
The point is no matter how many presents under the tree read, “To Timmy, from Santa,” the fact is none of the presents were from Santa, and Santa does not exist. Likewise, the human belief that we have free will does nothing to establish that free will exists. Once an illusion is exposed, one can no longer believe in it. The religious retort that the godly gift of the illusion of free will allows for the simultaneous existence of an omniscient God and undetermined human choice does not undo the paradox. The very argument that free will is an illusion contains within it the admission that free will doesn’t exist!
Perhaps it is superfluous to point out that a god who deludes her children into believing they control the course of their own lives is a bit… well, mean. Certainly an all-good God would sooner give Her children actual control over their destiny than false control.
Conclusion
Logically speaking, we are left with three possible options:
1. God is omniscient, and humans do not have free will.
2. God is fallible, not omniscient, and humans do have free will.
3. God does not exist, and humans have free will… but no God to pray to when they make the wrong choice.
But I must admit that a fourth option may exist. If God does exist, then She would be the ultimate cause of everything in existence. To be capable of such a feat, God would have to exist beyond the realm of the physical, the laws of physics, and perhaps even logic itself. The logical conundrum and crisis of faith (in which readers of this essay may find themselves) can be rectified by realizing that a being capable of the kinds of deeds for which God is supposedly responsible may simply be beyond our understanding. Perhaps God is not restricted by the bounds of human logic, and perhaps our humble human minds are not equipped to comprehend a being of this magnitude. Maybe we lack the tools necessary for comprehending Her. (Perhaps attempting to conceive of God logically is like trying to build a rocket ship when your only tool is a spoon.)
But before the religious masses begin nodding their heads in agreement, let me say this. Man has been attempting to define, describe, explain, interpret and convey the commands of God since the dawn of coherent thought. If the notion that God exists beyond human logic is something religious folk can buy into, then they must also cease to venture guesses as to what God desires, commands, prefers, and dislikes. If God cannot be understood, then God cannot be described, and if God cannot be described, then one cannot claim they know what God wants, thinks, or feels. For example, claiming God hates homosexuals or condemns women who have abortions is the epitome of speculation, and when God’s thoughts are subject to conjecture, then one is sticking God right back in that nice little constraint called logic. So the religious masses amongst us simply cannot have it both ways. Either God doesn’t exist, isn’t omniscient, or we don’t have free will, or God exists, but She exists so far beyond our comprehension that we simply cannot restrict her to the inadequacy of our logic-bound brains. And if we cannot conceive of God in logical terms, then we cannot possible presume we know what is good or bad in God’s estimation.
There is also a theory I like to call, “The Pebble in the Pond Theory.” This means that God is omniscient, and we have free will, but God has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us, our lives, and this Earth. So God has absolute knowledge, but it is impotent. She simply chooses not to use it, thus making it useless. In other words, God created the Earth, but then just sat back and let everything unfold, without interfering at all. It is as if She dropped a pebble in a pond, but She has nothing to do with the resulting ripples. Unfortunately, this puts a little snag in the whole belief that some people have about maintaining a personal relationship with the Almighty. They might as well be praying to no one under this conception. And since this is unacceptable to many monotheists, I simply do not know what to tell them. Most of the time, in this life, we are just unable to have our cake and eat it, too.
(For the record, if God does exist, I do not believe God is a “she.” I merely used the pronoun because I am sick of the sexist assumption that God is male. However, it is very unlikely that God is a woman. If God was a woman, there would be no such thing as menstrual cramps, 18-hour labors, string bikinis, morning sickness, cellulite, stretch marks, menopause, yeast infections, UTIs, spousal abuse, female genital mutilation, fistula, episiotomies, mastitis, super models, underwire, and rape. Nor would there be such a high value put on chastity, virginity, breast size, and the presence of an in-tact hymen. Oh, and men would not rule the world.)
Comments
Those bent set on holding on to the notion that God is omniscient and humans are free to make any choice they wish, might concede that perhaps God bestowed Her Earth-bound children with the “illusion” of free will. In other words, God knows that we will choose “A,” and we are in fact unable to choose “B” lest we prove an infallible being wrong, but God allows us to believe we can choose “B.”
Ella does this mean that you will never ask your child do you want this and or that, and not know which she is going to choose. So then using this statement you never gave them a choice?
She would be the ultimate cause of everything in existence. To be capable of such a feat, God would have to exist beyond the realm of the physical, the laws of physics, and perhaps even logic itself.
Yes!!!!!!! you are right this is the answer. We try to define an infinite God with an finite mind.
then they must also cease to venture guesses as to what God desires, commands, prefers, and dislikes. If God cannot be understood, then God cannot be described, and if God cannot be described, then one cannot claim they know what God wants, thinks, or feels. All we have is the Bible and the Holy Spirit to guide us reading and praying dailly God will reveal more about him as you grow in him .Just like A baby must start out on milk, and then progress to the meat and potatoes. So must we.
(for a little humor) Oh, and men would not rule the world.) would she at least let us think we were it would really help our ego. cause we dont even get that now?
gilbert grape
April 29th, 2010 | 11:57 pmGG-
First, if you are going to quote me, please put what I said in quotations, so that others know that I wrote it and you didn’t. Otherwise, other readers will find it difficult to understand where I end and your thoughts begin. Second, I am not omniscient. I may THINK I know what my child will choose, but I am not 100% certain. I never will be, because I am not infallible. Plus, my daughter choosing a different option does not negate my omnipotent and omniscient existence, as it does with God…. so in this instance, you are missing the point. This is a logical problem, not a practical one. Okay, and finally, my point was that we cannot even begin to comprehend what God wants, likes, thinks, or feels. If you are using the Bible as THE WORD OF GOD, then you are not living the truth of that statement… especially when you claim to know that the Bible is better (or more right) than the Qua’ran or Torah or the Diamond Sutra. That is NOT treating God like an unknowable entity. Don’t act like we agree. If you agreed with me, you would put down the Bible, throw up your hands, cease being Christian, and claim, “I cannot possibly comprehend a perfect being who exists beyond time, space, and comprehension. To even attempt to do so is an arrogant assertion that I am a fucking genius and possess other-worldly knowledge. Since I don’t and I’m not, I am not going to claim that my religion or understanding of God is right, milk, meat, potatoes, or otherwise.”
ella moore
May 3rd, 2010 | 12:23 amElla,
What a petiful and dismal creature you are. Your intellectual mind has caused your egotism to swell like yeast in bread dough. You have no perception what-so-ever of God because your ways are not God’s ways, and His ways are not your ways. Your self-centeredness has caused your mind to be corrupted with arrogance and futility. You are embroiled with egocentricity as your lips speak flattering fascinations and a tongue which boast proudly of your ignorance. Your heart is full of vanity and self-importance. Your superciliousness attitude has given rise to that of a god.
However what is clearly revealed through your words is a person who is frighten. A person deeply afraid because deep down in your soul you know God exists and you fear His existence. Every moment in everyday you are constantly reminded of Him and your attempts to escape from this reality is by striving to convince others of His non-existence. This is your escape from reality. You are so deeply afraid and so misearble a creature that you have created a diversion from your depression by rejecting Him through your blogs.
You are no different than the hundreds of folks just like you who are afraid of what they know in their heart to be true. Your running from God because you know that He exists, and therefore you hide behind the smokescreen of logic and intellectual ideals.
Ella, you are headed towards self-destruction. While you would not entertained the world with the knowledge of your life of chaos and depression, and there is no doubt your striving for inner peace which you long for and are unable to find. Peace can only come through righteousness and “Self-righteousness” is futile and hopeless. True inner-peace comes only through God and His righteousness. Self-righteousness generates dishonesty, corruption, immorality and the end result is dissolution.
You are headed down that road and you are “smart” enough to know that, although you are too afraid to admit it. Ella, time is of essence for you. You cannot afford to continue your life (a life you know is wrong) down the road your presently taking. Don’t be too “smart” for your own good.
“Pride” is always the number one downfall of people like you.
“Pride goeth before destruction.”
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
No, I’m not bashing you. I’m giving you the most important thing of “common sense” you have read in a long time. You will never find peace in yourself!
Anonymous
May 10th, 2010 | 10:53 pmAnonymous commenter above this comment- How did you get out of the straight jacket long enough to write that insane drivel?
God hates you, he told me to tell you that.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2010 | 12:28 amJust before Anon. #1 wrote that, he said to the pit in his basement.
“It puts the lotion in the basket”.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2010 | 1:28 amThe first anonymous is projecting his own fears and delusion onto Ella. It is common behavior amongst psychopaths and sociopaths.
Here is a person who is clearly not well educated, telling a PhD, what she thinks and feels and that he knows the correct path, while in the same breath he condemns “self-righteousness.” He condemns intellectualism and thinking too much, while trying to pontificate about who he thinks Ella is.
This person is so detached from reality that they are totally unaware of the contradictions laced throughout their pathetic attempt at writing.
It must be a preacher.
Preacher- get a real job you pathetic piece of shit.
Just make sure it isn’t around children or feeble-minded people like the ones you work with now.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2010 | 1:45 pmDear Anonymous Preacher,
I am sure that the thesaurus in your bookshelf is just falling apart at the seems. You are an idiot. Not because of what what you believe, that just makes you insane, but because in the freaking essay I never wrote that God, therefore, must not exist. My solution to the omniscience/free will problem allowed for God to still exist. The problem is that what is arrogant, truly arrogant, is for a person to think or believe that he or she knows what God thinks, feels, or wants. Arrogance is not the claim that God does not or might not exist (That’s just common sense). Arrogance is the claim that you know what God wants and hates.
You are a fucking coward. You didn’t bother to assault the argument, most likely because your puny mind could not grasp it. Instead you assaulted me personally, making assumptions you can’t possibly prove, validate, or know. You just assume in your ignorance that anyone who lives a life “without God” must be “lacking, lost or bereft.” And that, my angry friend, makes you an arrogant idiot. How can you assume to know anything about me? I agree with my “faithful” (read: loyal, not nuts) cohorts who call you psychotic and claim that you are projecting. If you, my dear, are lost, try picking up a book that does not claim to be written by God. Perhaps an education will fill the void in your life. (There, now that was condescension!)
I love that you called me immoral. I am an ethicist, for Christ’s sake. Although, I often joke that studying ethics doesn’t make me any more moral- it just allows me to rationalize all kinds of behavior! However, I cannot rationalize yours, except to hazard the guess that you are angry because your priest touched you in your “no-no place,” and God didn’t make him stop, so you thought you would go online to find out why God was so busy. (Like, maybe there was a flood or something?) And then you stumbled across my article when you typed, “God” into the search engine, and thought you would yell at the bastard who so clearly described the logical contradiction of asserting that both an omniscient God and human free will can exist together, making you question your faith.
So despite the fact that you insulted me so vehemently (guess you threw those “Jesus lessons” out the window, huh?), I say to you, best wishes, much love, and here is how to spell “psychiatrist” so that you can look it up in the Yellow Pages. P-S-Y-C-H-I-A-T-R-I-S-T.
ella
ella moore
May 11th, 2010 | 11:24 pmYou go Ella Moore!
UNF
August 31st, 2010 | 6:46 pmSaid it better than I ever could. 
I do have another option which could be possible.
It’s along the same lines as your “free will is an illusion” theory, but slightly adjusted. (or greatly, depending on how you look at it)
Assuming God is, in fact, all-knowing and all-seeing and whatnot, I believe it is very possible that He can give us free will, but still maintain his status as “perfect.”
All He would simply need to do is CHOOSE not to know.
It would only make sense that if He has the power to know everything, then He could equally have the power to know nothing.
Think of it like selective memory, in which people remember what they want and scrap everything else.
So, assuming He chooses not to know, then in effect, He would have to choose not to act as well, for anything He interferes with in our “realm” would in some way deprive us of free will.
The Bible speaks of making sacrifices for God and for the common good of others. (you don’t need to have read the Bible to know this)
Perhaps God sacrificed his perfection and complete control over everything so we could be able to act for ourselves.
Think of it like a video game developer.
They design code so that a game may run itself, but they don’t control everything that goes on, nor do they know exactly what will happen during the game.
However, they may change whatever they want if the system contains bugs.
Similarly, God created a system that can run itself, but he chooses not to know or decide what that system will do or how we will act, so that we may keep our free will.
Therefore, I highly doubt he neglected us completely, but rather He watches over us and fixes “bugs” in the system.
With this idea, free will is not an illusion, but is a reality.
And God still holds perfection, but has……repressed it, so to speak.
Ashmead (because Anonymous was already taken)
September 17th, 2010 | 2:30 pmRidiculous!!
Ashmead is the only one smart enough to see through God’s thin veil of deception, how convenient.
Or maybe Ashmead just invents situations where God can coexist with logic.
Atheist
September 20th, 2010 | 12:55 pmAshmead,
Your “solution” sounds a lot like what I, and others, dub the “Pebble in the Pond” theory- that God created the universe, or perhaps just “got the ball (or bang) rolling” and then washed his hands of it and said, “God is out. Peace!” He “dropped” the “first pebble” in the pond that is our existence but has had nothing to do with the subsequent ripples, so to speak.
However, an annoying devil’s advocate cannot help but wonder about God’s motivations behind “choosing not to know,” as you put it. Is God forced to “choose not to know” whether you will choose A rather than B because it is the only way to escape the logical conundrum and inescapable paradox of omniscience and human free will coexisting? If this is the case, then God’s supposed omnipotence and own free will has just been severely called into question. In other words, must God “choose” absence of mind in order to escape the problem of free will and ultimate knowledge?
ella moore
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