Religious Studies

Table of Contents - 1997 - Volume 33, Issue 03  

Research Article

ACTING AND THE OPEN FUTURE: A BRIEF REJOINDER TO DAVID HUNT

TOMIS KAPITAN a1
a1 Department of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois 60115-2854

Abstract

I have argued that since (i) intentional agency requires intention-acquisition, (ii) intention-acquisition implies a sense of an open future, and (iii) a sense of an open future is incompatible with complete foreknowledge, then (iv) no agent can be omniscient. Alternatively, an omniscient being is omni-impotent. David Hunt continues to oppose this reasoning, most recently, in Religious Studies 32 (March 1996). It is increasingly clear that the debate turns on larger issues concerning necessity and knowledge, but let me here offer a few comments in defence of my position.