Rocks, Hard Places, etc.... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-20-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mormegil

Isn't it possible for a master plan to exist and still have free will?

Certainly, if your master plans consists of "I'm gonna sit back and see what happens."

If the master plan has a predetermined outcome (say "good", or "evil" or even as narrowed down as "Sauron WILL be overthrown") then all of the "free will" is working to achieve it, which means that the infinity of outcomes that should come with free will is drastically diminished.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 07-20-2005, 11:00 AM

It seems as through this discussion is more about destiny than freewill. The ultimate outcome of events is larger than the individual, yet in Tolkien’s world we are continuously reminded that even the choices of seemly unimportant or brief lived individuals can shape the milestones in the history of Middle-earth. While perhaps at the very end of time Eru’s plan will come to pass, I don’t see this as the force governing the character’s decisions, especially in LoTR.

View Poll Results: Is there free will in Middle-Earth?
Yes	29	58.00%
No	3	6.00%
Probably both	18	36.00%
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07-20-2005, 11:00 AM	#2
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	It seems as through this discussion is more about destiny than freewill. The ultimate outcome of events is larger than the individual, yet in Tolkien’s world we are continuously reminded that even the choices of seemly unimportant or brief lived individuals can shape the milestones in the history of Middle-earth. While perhaps at the very end of time Eru’s plan will come to pass, I don’t see this as the force governing the character’s decisions, especially in LoTR.