GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
No FF.That definition is vague to the point of uselessness IMO. It fits both Augustine's definition and that of "libertarian free will" which are contradictory. (Aside: there are other definition) It does not address why one chooses or who/what influences determine the choice or what influences would nullify 'free will'.
How much force/influence can God use before my decision is not free? Can He have no influence? Complete influence? When does influence become force and nullify the definition of 'free will'?
Example: Man puts a gun to my head and asks me to kiss his feet or he will shot me. I would freely chose to kiss his feet though someone else might say I was not free to choose depending on their definition of 'free will'. The same man yesterday asked me to kiss his feet and I freely chose to say "no thanks"; but why, because I don't like sandals and does that influence nullify my free choice. Tomorrow Christ comes by and I weep and go to the ground and kiss his feet; was I free to do so or did something influence my decision to the degree that my decision was not free. According to "libertarian free will" I could kiss or not kiss a person's feet in each situation. And if that same situation occurs in the future I could do the opposite.
This is the beauty of "free will". It's meaning is so vague, that it fits nicely into everyone's conversation. You can talk about free will and mean "X" and I can listen and agree because my understanding of what he said means "Y". Ones understanding, even in ones own mind, is vague. It can mean "X" in one circumstance or "X +/-" in another situation or the same situation at another time.
Maybe that's why people refuse to define 'free will' explicitly, because it is central to their theology and an explicit definition might wither if exposed to the light of day.
My definition: We always chose what we desire most at the time. This is empirically proven. It allows for my decision to be influenced. This is an integral part of compatibilism and is the best of both worlds. God can be sovereign in everything (not just most things) by controlling my desire; yet, I get what ever I want/chose. This ensures that everything worketh for good to those that love them because God is in complete control instead of sinful me. Thank you God for controlling all things to the benefit of the ones you love. Sweet harmony.
If you have to decide with a gun to your head that IS NOT FREE WILL.
That is coercion of your will.
I've said all along that free will does not have any coercion from outside forces.
(I believe you just don't care to reply to my verses regarding free will)...
(because it's obvious that we have free will).