Alvin Plantinga's free will defence Flashcards
What type of argument is Alvin Plantinga’s free will defence?
It comes under the banner of ‘free will defences’ which are often implemented in combatting the problem of evil. They are theodicies or defences which function under the assumption that free will exists and is compatible with the existence of God.
What characteristics does Alvin Plantinga’s free will defence have?
It is a ‘weak theodicy’ meaning it combats the problem of evil. However, it doesn’t give an absolute explanation that explains where evil came from, merely a suggestion.
Who’s philosophy does this defence take great inspiration from?
St. Thomas Aquinas
what does the argument aim to prove?
It aims to prove that God is omniscient, omnibenevolent, omnipotent, but evil still exists, and God has allowed it.
What is Plantinga’s formal argument?
1) A world with free creatures is far more valuable than a world without free creatures.
2) God can create a world with free creatures.
3) Significantly free creatures must be able to do what is morally right and morally wrong.
4) God cannot create creatures which are significantly free and do not have free will.
C) God must create creatures which are capable of both morally right and morally wrong actions if he wishes them to be free creatures.
Where did Alvin Plantinga believe natural evil originates from?
He believes that because God made demons and angels significantly free as well as humans, they are responsible for the natural evil in the world, as they can interfere with it, because they are created beings.
What is the overall point made by Plantinga’s argument?
god believes that free will is too valuable to free creatures. he believes that it is integral to a good creation that creatures have free will. Therefore, we must have free will in order to be a good creation., which must involve us being able to choose moral evil, as this means we have significant free will.
What was the character that Plantinga used as an example of a moral agent?
He used the example of Curly Smith. Curly Smith is a moral agent who has the capacity to choose right and wrong in any given situation. Plantinga says it is impossible for Curly Smith to go his entire life without performing a morally wrong action. This is because of his ultimate free will being exercised.
