Caught Between Destiny and Discretion

Throughout history, mankind has pondered this question: Do we decide what to do with our lives? Are things predestined or are they the result of our choices? Authors have explored this concept in stories about fate and free will. In simple terms, Fate is the outcome of an event that is beyond the control of the individual. It is the development of events that are determined by the Gods and Goddesses. As for Free-Will, it refers to the ability to act without limitations. Free-Will is the autonomy to act as one pleases.

Paradise Lost discusses fate and free will extensively. There is disobedience, eternal providence, and justification of God’s choice, which relates to free will, and there is the justification for God’s way, which relates to Fate, which allows the characters to exercise free will while experiencing the fate of the central character. Nonetheless, God denies the concept of fate, revealing that he knows exactly what will happen to Adam and Eve. Really?

It is just like the sun rising tomorrow, God knows what will happen (that Adam and Eve disobey him). God isn’t to blame because he knows everything that will happen as if it has already taken place! This is the very point Milton makes in his God: foreknowledge is not the same as predestination. As a result of his own actions, Adam will fall. God views all events, past, present, and future, as simultaneous or present, even Adam’s fall that hasn’t occurred yet. The fact that God knows it will happen doesn’t mean that He makes it happen; He simply knows how Adam will make it happen.

As a result of putting the forbidden tree in the garden, God also plays an active role in the Fall.

It is striking how much subjugation Adam and Eve experienced in their union, even though they are given free will.

The Debatable Ideology of Fate and Free Will

Fate

• What is meant to happen, will happen. That is fate. The circumstances are beyond our control. If fate wants it, it will happen. It’s not us who is controlling the course of our life but the circumstances, the fate that has already decided what is going to happen at this date and at this time.

• Additionally, it is also believed that we find comfort in this concept. By blaming our bad behavior on fate, we try to shield ourselves from liability most of the time. It is viewed as fate when things happen and they don’t match our desires. Occasionally it can serve as a beacon of hope, but sometimes it is just an excuse.

Free will

• Free will is the freedom to do what you want. You can either do something or let it slide. The choice is all yours here. People believing in free are always in a debate with the people believing in total fate. Free will removes God from the bubble. We are the sole decider of our destiny.

• You cannot delegate the responsibility to God in free will. You and only you are responsible for every little action and circumstance. Let me clear you through an example.

If I am trying to catch on a train and I met with an accident, it’s my fate! It was bound to happen. Nothing could ever stop this from happening.

But if I put it this way — that I met with an accident because I woke up late as I was drunk all night and when I hurried to the train station, I met with an accident. That’s free will.

While Karma is sometimes thought of as fate, do not our actions shape our free will, so can free will and fate coexist?

Butterfly Effect + Free Will = Self-imposed Circumstances