The Nature of True Goodness: Choice vs. Necessity

The concept of goodness has been debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries. Is someone truly good if their actions are predetermined, or does genuine goodness stem from the freedom to choose between right and wrong? This question delves into the heart of free will and its relationship to moral character.

Free Will and Genuine Goodness

One perspective asserts that true goodness arises from free will. The argument is that if an individual is compelled to act in a certain way, their actions, however virtuous, do not reflect genuine goodness. (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

he who is good by his own choice is really good; but he who is made good by another under necessity is not really good, because he is not what he is by his own choice.

This suggests that the act of choosing good, even in the face of temptation or adversity, is what truly defines a person's moral character. Without the freedom to choose, goodness becomes a mere performance, devoid of intrinsic value.

God's Design and Human Agency

If God created humans with predetermined thoughts and actions, then, it could be argued, He would be the cause of all actions, both good and evil. This raises a difficult question: can God be held responsible for human sins if humans lack the agency to choose otherwise? The text challenges this notion directly. (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

For if we are under His influence in all that we think, you say that He is the cause of fornications, lusts, avarice, and all blasphemy.

Therefore, the existence of free will is essential to absolve God from the responsibility of human wickedness. It posits that God allows humans the freedom to choose, and with that freedom comes the responsibility for their actions.

Friendship, Hostility, and Occasion

The text suggests that God has designed a system where friendship or hostility arises in each person through various occasions. This implies that life experiences and interactions provide opportunities for moral development and the exercise of free will. These occasions present choices, and it is through these choices that individuals define themselves as either good or evil. (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

Since therefore every one's freedom constitutes the true good, and shows the true evil, God has contrived that friendship or hostility should be in each man by occasions.

The Importance of Thankfulness and Honor

The document emphasizes the importance of being thankful to God and bestowing honor upon Him. It is posited that even if God does not explicitly demand honor, humans should offer it out of a sense of what is right and as a response to the good He does. However, this thankfulness should be directed solely towards God. The text warns against diluting gratitude by attributing credit to false idols or multiple sources. (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

And do not say that God does not claim any honour; for if He Himself claims nothing, you ought to look to what is right, and to answer with thankful voice Him who does you good in all things.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the text champions the idea that true goodness is intrinsically linked to free will. It is the ability to choose rightly, to resist temptation, and to act with genuine intention that defines moral character. This perspective not only underscores the importance of human agency but also offers a defense of God's justice, positioning Him as a provider of freedom rather than a controller of destiny. By embracing free will, individuals can strive for true goodness and offer authentic honor and gratitude to the source of all good.