Free Will

[Central Slavia]

But... a tautology lacks any information since there isn't a possible case where it could be untrue.
Even if god sent everyone off to hell for eternity for no particular reason he would still be good by this definition.
In fact such a definition doesn't even allow for distinction between God and an imppstor malevolent deity, such as the devil.

And? Any philosophical point has this tautological issue. This is why the importance in study and development of a particular philosophy or theology isn't the ultimate proof on its rightness or not, but rather whether it is consistent with its own precept (tautology).

No - tautology isn't a proof of consistence, rather it is a proof of meaninglessness.
The statement as such doesn't restrict any possibilities, and therefore states no truth about the universe.
It is beating of empty chaff

[Tekania]

And? Any philosophical point has this tautological issue. This is why the importance in study and development of a particular philosophy or theology isn't the ultimate proof on its rightness or not, but rather whether it is consistent with its own precept (tautology).

No - tautology isn't a proof of consistence, rather it is a proof of meaninglessness.
The statement as such doesn't restrict any possibilities, and therefore states no truth about the universe.
It is beating of empty chaff

Apparently you didn't comprehend what I said. I never said tautology was proof of consistence, merely that the correctness of any philosophy is measured by a consistence from its own precepts (its tautologies).

[Dustistan]

God put mankind on earth, gave him free will, and said "right, you're in charge now".

We stuffed up badly, but God will not break his own rules.

God knew we were going to stuff up, but (through his omniscience) realised that this would be better than not creating the universe in the first place, or creating it solely of beings with no free will.

We don't know why it is better this way, but that doesn't mean it isn't. We have a clue in the fact that God Himself decided to become a human, to suffer as we suffer, and die....and then become alive again, giving everyone an opportunity to fix up the basic mistake we all make.

Yet still, God doesn't break his own rules. We are free agents, in charge of our lives. We must now choose - continue to wreck our own lives, trying to live them as we see fit, or give our broken lives to God, and get Jesus' fixed-up life in exchange.

Does our current suffering contradict God's omniscience, goodness or omnipotence? No, because He sees the end result is worth some pain. Does God's omniscience and omnipotence contradict free will? No, as evidenced by the fact that God doesn't force anyone to follow his plan.

[Dustistan]

my goodness, I killed the thread!!!

[Norstal]

my goodness, I killed the thread!!!

*sigh*

There is no correct answer to free will. Why does everything have to be black & white? Racists.

[Existential_Nihilists]

my goodness, I killed the thread!!!

*sigh*

There is no correct answer to free will. Why does everything have to be black & white? Racists.

Because arriving to a "gray area" conclusion isn't as fulfilling.. People never settle for "maybe", they want a concrete answer, they want guidance, for some reason.

[Tekania]

*sigh*

There is no correct answer to free will. Why does everything have to be black & white? Racists.

Because arriving to a "gray area" conclusion isn't as fulfilling.. People never settle for "maybe", they want a concrete answer, they want guidance, for some reason.

Yes, God forbid there not be a definitive answer to a purely unprovable philosophical thought-experiment such as the issue of free will or determinism.