Single Idea 5769

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / a. Determinism]

Full Idea

Does foreknowledge of the future cause the necessity of events, or necessity cause the foreknowledge?

Gist of Idea

Does foreknowledge cause necessity, or necessity cause foreknowledge?

Source

Boethius (The Consolations of Philosophy [c.520], V.III)

Book Reference

Boethius: 'The Consolations of Philosophy', ed/tr. Watts,V.E. [Penguin 1969], p.151


A Reaction

An intriguing question, though not one that bothers me. I don't understand how foreknowledge causes necessity, unless God's vision of the future is a kind of 'freezing ray'. Even the gods must bow to necessity (Idea 3016).

Related Idea

Idea 3016 Even the gods cannot strive against necessity [Pittacus, by Diog. Laertius]