tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post7128811619369241056..comments2024-03-28T07:57:49.338+00:00Comments on Poul Anderson Appreciation: Cynthian Religion? IIKetlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588156788583883454noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-53546528955835246782016-10-25T07:42:21.751+01:002016-10-25T07:42:21.751+01:00Kaor, Paul!
I'm sorry if I misunderstood you ...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />I'm sorry if I misunderstood you as regards the issue of the divine foreknowledge and free will.<br /><br />The question of just what makes an author an imaginatively CREATIVE writer is tough to answer! I agree a good author is sensitive about letting his characters and plot develop and refrains from using a rigid formula. Yes, somehow even characters who surprised their creators still came from their author, even if he does not understand how the creative process works.<br /><br />SeanSean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-34213589692071765862016-10-24T22:18:07.093+01:002016-10-24T22:18:07.093+01:00Sean,
I know that characters can surprise their au...Sean,<br />I know that characters can surprise their authors and I can cite examples but the author has to be sensitive enough to let the character develop instead of imposing formulaic characterization. The unexpected aspects of the character come from within the author no less than the expected aspects.<br />Paul.Paul Shackleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180596532266581425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-9389006354113896952016-10-24T19:17:53.104+01:002016-10-24T19:17:53.104+01:00Sean,
Again, I am not arguing that there is a cont...Sean,<br />Again, I am not arguing that there is a contradiction between foreknowledge and free will.<br />Paul.Paul Shackleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180596532266581425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-40253497446684787862016-10-24T17:45:34.164+01:002016-10-24T17:45:34.164+01:00Kaor, Paul!
I certainly agree that the works of P...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />I certainly agree that the works of Poul Anderson encourages philosophic reflections. Because his knowledge of science, history, and philosophy gave unusual depth and nuance to them. I would also say he insisted on offering his stories simply as entertainments he hoped readers would enjoy.<br /><br />My deficiencies in knowledge of philosophy and how to reason logically is one reason why I enjoy reading both your blog and John Wright.<br /><br />I am not sure an author always knows what his characters will say or do. Odd as it might seem, both PA and Stirling have said that sometimes they did not know how stories they were writing would turn out.<br /><br />While I agree that MOST times a pacifist saint and an aggressive drunk will behave as described, I don't think that will always be the case. I can imagine a saint losing his temper or a drunk behaving reasonably. There remains an element of uncertainty.<br /><br />The question of how God's foreknowledge can co-exist with free will has troubled many thinkers. My deficiencies in logic and philosophic knowledge forces me to say that simply, as a Catholic I do believe we have free will.<br /><br />I could argue that God's foreknowledge is not the same as Him compelling us to do what he foreknew we would do. For example, I could become aware of a plot to rob a bank by a gang of criminals (but be unable to warn the police). My foreknowledge did not compel the robbers to loot the bank--they CHOSE to do that.<br /><br />SeanSean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.com