Episode 89: Free Will in Heaven with Benjamin Matheson
Dec 9, 2024
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In this conversation with Benjamin Matheson, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Byrne, the complexities of free will in heaven unravel. They explore how compatibilist and libertarian viewpoints clash in a perfect afterlife. Matheson dissects morality’s relationship with free will, questioning how choices and redemption shape our existence even in paradise. The dialogue also delves into the implications of a benevolent God, the nature of moral responsibility, and the philosophical challenges of true freedom in a suffering-free environment.
Benjamin Matheson explores the tension between free will and the existence of evil in heaven, questioning traditional theological perspectives.
The podcast discusses compatibilism as a potential solution for reconciling free will with a morally perfect environment like heaven.
Deep dives
Free Will and Its Philosophical Origins
The discussion begins with Benjamin Matheson's background and his journey into the philosophy of free will, particularly in relation to religion. His interest originated from undergraduate studies on human design arguments, which tied into theological discussions on free will and the existence of evil. Throughout his academic journey, Matheson explored various aspects of moral responsibility, which deepened his focus on free will and its implications in the context of the afterlife. His skepticism about traditional views has pushed him to probe into how free will operates, especially concerning the notion of heaven.
Theological Implications of Free Will in Heaven
Matheson addresses the inherent tension between the belief in free will and the concept of a perfect paradise without evil, often referenced in discussions about heaven. The traditional response to the problem of evil uses the free will defense to justify the existence of suffering, suggesting that true freedom allows for the choice to do wrong. However, this leads to complications when considering how free will could manifest in a heaven that is devoid of evil, raising questions about whether individuals would possess meaningful freedom in such a state. The discourse highlights the need for a plausible explanation of how free will could coexist with a morally perfect environment.
Compatibilism and Free Will in a Divine Context
Matheson argues that compatibilism offers a way to understand free will in heaven by suggesting that individuals could be divinely determined to make only good choices without losing their free will. This aligns with the psychological structuralism proposed by philosophers like Harry Frankfurt, where alignment between desires may allow for freedom even under God's influence. However, this raises further questions about why God did not create a world in which such conditions existed from the beginning, without allowing for the suffering seen in everyday life. The compatibilist perspective then faces challenges in adequately addressing the extent of freedom and moral development required for a fulfilling existence.
Libertarian Views and the Problem of Evil
The conversation transitions to libertarian accounts of free will, which assert that genuine freedom is incompatible with determinism but struggles with the presence of evil in heaven. If individuals possess libertarian free will in paradise, Matheson examines the difficulty of explaining why they do not choose evil there, posing a challenge to the coherence of this theology. He further explains the distinction between direct and indirect freedom and how maintaining meaningful freedom in heaven while avoiding sin complicates discussions on moral responsibility. Ultimately, the failure to reconcile these views may necessitate a reconsideration of the nature of God's omnipotence or the foundational attributes of divine nature.