Biblical Answer

The Implications of Molinism on the Debate Between Compatibilism and Libertarianism

Introduction

The debate between compatibilism and libertarianism in the doctrine of free will has been a longstanding issue in philosophy. Compatibilists argue that freedom requires simply the ability to act without restraint in accordance with one's desires and values, while libertarians believe that freedom means our decisions are not caused by anything outside ourselves. Molinism, a theological framework, offers a unique perspective on this debate. In this section, we will explore the implications of Molinism on the debate between compatibilism and libertarianism.

Compatibilism and Molinism

Molinism, as developed by Thomas Flint, posits that God's sovereignty is not in conflict with human freedom. According to Molinism, God's sovereignty is not a limitation on human freedom but rather a guarantee of it. This view is compatible with compatibilism, as it suggests that human freedom is not incompatible with determinism. In fact, Molinism argues that God's sovereignty is what makes human freedom possible. This perspective aligns with the compatibilist view that freedom requires simply the ability to act without restraint in accordance with one's desires and values.

Libertarianism and Molinism

Libertarianism, on the other hand, is incompatible with Molinism. Libertarianism requires that human decisions be uncaused by anything outside of themselves, which is not possible according to Molinism. Molinism posits that God's sovereignty is what causes human decisions, which is in direct conflict with the libertarian view. Therefore, Molinism implies that libertarianism is false. This is because libertarianism requires that human freedom be uncaused, which is not possible according to Molinism. In conclusion, Molinism implies that compatibilism is true and libertarianism is false. This is because Molinism posits that God's sovereignty is what makes human freedom possible, which is compatible with the compatibilist view. On the other hand, libertarianism is incompatible with Molinism, as it requires that human decisions be uncaused by anything outside of themselves.