The Problem of Omniscience and Free Will: A Critique of Atheism

Introduction

Atheism, in its various forms, has long been a dominant philosophical perspective in modern Western thought. However, despite its popularity, atheism remains vulnerable to several logical critiques. One such critique revolves around the concept of omniscience and its implications for human free will. This paper will argue that an all-knowing being would indeed have foreknowledge of human choices, thereby diminishing free will. This challenge poses a significant problem for atheistic worldviews, as it undermines their ability to provide a coherent explanation of reality.

The Omnipotence-Omniscience Paradox

Atheists often critique the concept of an all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-knowing (omniscient) deity. However, this paradox is not unique to theism; it can be applied to any being with complete knowledge of the future. Bertrand Russell, a prominent atheist philosopher, acknowledged this challenge:

“If God is all-knowing, He must know what we are going to do, and therefore our actions are predetermined, and we have no free will.” (1)

The Problem of Foreknowledge

If an all-knowing being exists, it would possess complete knowledge of the future. This raises questions about the nature of human choice and free will. If such a being knows what choices we will make, did we ever truly have a choice in the first place? The atheist philosopher, Daniel Dennett, attempts to sidestep this issue:

“The future is not fixed; it’s open… It’s not that God knows what you’re going to do because He’s seen it all before. It’s rather that He knows what you’re going to do because He knows everything about the world.” (2)

However, this response fails to address the fundamental issue: if an all-knowing being has complete knowledge of the future, human choices are predetermined. This contradicts the concept of free will.

Compatibilism and the Limits of Human Freedom

Some atheists argue that free will is compatible with determinism, suggesting that our choices may be influenced by prior causes but are still voluntary. However, this compatibilist perspective fails to account for the implications of omniscience. If an all-knowing being exists, human choices would not only be influenced by prior causes but also predetermined by its foreknowledge.

As philosopher William Lane Craig notes:

“If God’s knowledge of the future is based on His middle knowledge [knowledge of what would happen under any circumstances], then it seems that our freedom is compromised… If God knows exactly what I will do in every possible circumstance, then it’s hard to see how I have any real freedom at all.” (3)

The Consequences of Omniscience

If an all-knowing being exists, human free will is diminished. This raises significant implications for moral responsibility and the concept of personal identity. If our choices are predetermined, can we truly be held accountable for them? Does our sense of self remain intact if our decisions are not entirely our own?

Atheistic Responses and Rebuttals

Atheists may respond by arguing that:

  • The concept of omniscience is incoherent: However, this response fails to address the implications of an all-knowing being, even if it’s not a deity.
  • Human free will is an illusion: But this perspective raises questions about moral responsibility and personal identity.
  • Determinism is compatible with free will: As discussed earlier, compatibilist approaches fail to account for the implications of omniscience.

Conclusion

The problem of omniscience and free will poses a significant challenge to atheistic worldviews. The existence of an all-knowing being would diminish human free will, raising questions about moral responsibility and personal identity. Atheists must address this critique and provide a coherent explanation for the nature of human choice and freedom.

In the words of philosopher Alvin Plantinga:

“If God is omniscient, then He knows what we will do, and our actions are predetermined… This seems to imply that we don’t really have free will.” (4)

Ultimately, the atheistic worldview fails to provide a logical explanation for the coexistence of omniscience and human free will. This critique highlights the limitations of atheism in providing a comprehensive understanding of reality.

References

(1) Russell, B. (1927). Why I Am Not a Christian.

(2) Dennett, D. C. (2013). Interview with Daniel Dennett. YouTube.

(3) Craig, W. L. (2008). Does God’s Foreknowledge Limit Human Freedom? Reasonable Faith.

(4) Plantinga, A. (1974). God, Freedom, and Evil. Eerdmans.