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Why all classical theists should believe in physical premotions, but it doesn't really matter (for freedom).

Authors :
Rooney, James Dominic
Source :
International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. Oct2020, Vol. 88 Issue 2, p139-166. 28p.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

"Physical premotions" are a concept associated with Baroque Catholic theological debates concerning grace and freedom. In this paper, I present an argument that the entities identified in this debate, physical premotions, are necessary for any classical theist's account of divine causality. A "classical theist" is a theist who holds both that God is simple, that is, without inhering properties, and that humans and God are both free in the incompatibilist sense. In fact, not only does the acceptance of physical premotions not entail determinism, physical premotions are the only way for classical theists to preserve the aforementioned two commitments. Nevertheless, the theory of premotions (by itself) cannot help theologians resolve questions of how God causes human free acts without violating their freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00207047
Volume :
88
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
International Journal for Philosophy of Religion
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
146008722
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11153-020-09745-z