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    A will determined in its very act of willing by an extern... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→God's activity as first cause is actually the cause of our freedom.

    A will determined in its very act of willing by an external cause—even one aligned with its nature—lacks the sourcehood required for genuine freedom.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Sourcehood requires that the will's determination originates from the agent's own evaluative capacities, not external causal chains.
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    • 2.External determination—even if harmonious with nature—bypasses the agent's deliberative process, making outcomes merely happen through them.
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    • 3.Alignment with nature doesn't constitute self-governance; a river flowing downhill aligns with its nature but lacks agency.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.No causal chain is purely 'internal'—all willing depends on prior causes (genetics, neural states, reasons). Absolute sourcehood is incoherent.
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    • 2.A cause aligned with one's stable character and values can constitute authentic agency, even if externally influenced in origin.
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    • 3.Freedom requires acting on one's own desires and reasons, not independence from all causation. External alignment needn't undermine this.
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    Divine Attributes1 linked

    Related

    A cause aligned with one's stable character and values can constitute authentic ...Alignment with nature doesn't constitute self-governance; a river flowing downhi...External determination—even if harmonious with nature—bypasses the agent's delib...Freedom requires acting on one's own desires and reasons, not independence from ...
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    God's activity as first cause is actually the cause of our freedom.No causal chain is purely 'internal'—all willing depends on prior causes (geneti...Sourcehood requires that the will's determination originates from the agent's ow...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit