Single Idea 6029

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

Full Idea

Whoever grasps the causes of future things must necessarily grasp all that will be.

Gist of Idea

Whoever knows future causes knows everything that will be

Source

M. Tullius Cicero (On Divination ('De divinatione') [c.46 BCE], 1.127)

Book Reference

'The Hellenistic Philosophers:Vol.1 translations', ed/tr. Long,A. /Sedley,D. [CUP 1987], p.338


A Reaction

Laplace stated this idea in terms of Newtonian physics (Idea 3441), but the key idea is stated more simply and clearly here. God can know the future in this way, without actually seeing it happen now. I can't think why it should not be true.

Related Idea

Idea 3441 If a supreme intellect knew all atoms and movements, it could know all of the past and the future [Laplace]