

Episode 89: Free Will in Heaven with Benjamin Matheson
Dec 9, 2024
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.
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Free Will in Heaven
- Many theists believe in a personal afterlife (heaven) free of evil and suffering.
- This raises questions about free will's existence and value in a painless paradise.
Free Will Defense and Heaven
- The free will defense argues that God isn't responsible for evil, humans are.
- However, if heaven is free of evil, it implies a lack of free will, creating a contradiction.
Compatibilist Free Will in Heaven
- Compatibilism suggests God could determine heavenly beings to make good choices while retaining free will.
- This aligns with Frankfurt's and reasons-responsiveness accounts of compatibilism.