Dependence, Transcendence, and Creaturely Freedom: On the Incompatibility of Three Theistic Doctrines.

In this paper I argue for the incompatibility of three claims, each of them quite attractive to a theist. First, the doctrine of deep dependence: the universe depends for its existence, in a non-causal way, on God. Second, the doctrine of true transcendence: the universe is wholly distinct from God;...

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Published in:Mind (0026-4423) Vol. 130; no. 520; pp. 1099 - 1128
Main Author: Segal, Aaron
Format: Article
Published: Oxford University Press / USA Oct2021
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: Dependence, Transcendence, and Creaturely Freedom: On the Incompatibility of Three Theistic Doctrines.
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        au: Segal, Aaron
        affil: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
      su:
        Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204
        Whole & parts (Philosophy)
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          Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204
          Whole & parts (Philosophy)
      ab: In this paper I argue for the incompatibility of three claims, each of them quite attractive to a theist. First, the doctrine of deep dependence: the universe depends for its existence, in a non-causal way, on God. Second, the doctrine of true transcendence: the universe is wholly distinct from God; God is separate and apart from the universe in respect of mereology, modes, and mentality. Third, the doctrine of robust creaturely freedom: some creature performs some act such that he could have done other than he in fact did. After laying out the claims, I show that their conjunction has its adherents—most clearly, the medieval Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. I then argue in detail that the claims are in fact incompatible. I conclude with a discussion of which of the claims is best jettisoned, drawing in part on the work of the Absolute Idealist, Mary Calkins.
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