"Рэймонд Смаллиан. Две философские сценки (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

MORTAL: Exactly!
GOD: I understand exactly how you feel. Many mortals--even some
theologians--have complained that I have been unfair in that it was I, not
they, who decided that they should have free will, and then I hold them
responsible for their actions. In other words, they feel that they are
expected to live up to a contract with me which they never agreed to in the
first place.
MORTAL: Exactly!
GOD: As I said, I understand the feeling perfectly. And I can
appreciate the justice of the complaint. But the complaint arises only from
an unrealistic understanding of the true issues involved. I am about to
enlighten you as to what these are, and I think the results will surprise
you! But instead of telling you outright, I shall continue to use the
Socratic method.
To repeat, you regret that I ever gave you free will. I claim that when
you see the true ramifications you will no longer have this regret. To prove
my point, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I am about to create a new
universe--a new space-time continuum. In this new universe will be born a
mortal just like you--for all practical purposes, we might say that you will
be reborn. Now, I can give this new mortal--this new you--free will or not.
What would you like me to do?
MORTAL (in great relief): Oh, please! Spare him from having to have
free will!
GOD: All right, I'll do as you say. But you do realize that this new
you without free will, will commit all sorts of horrible acts.
MORTAL: But they will not be sins since he will have no free will.
GOD: Whether you call them sins or not, the fact remains that they will
be horrible acts in the sense that they will cause great pain to many
sentient beings.
MORTAL (after a pause): Good God, you have trapped me again! Always the
same game! If I now give you the go-ahead to create this new creature with
no free will who will nevertheless commit atrocious acts, then true enough
he will not be sinning, but I again will be the sinner to sanction this.
GOD: In that case, I'll go you one better! Here, I have already decided
whether to create this new you with free will or not. Now, I am writing my
decision on this piece of paper and I won't show it to you until later. But
my decision is now made and is absolutely irrevocable. There is nothing you
can possibly do to alter it; you have no responsibility in the matter. Now,
what I wish to know is this: Which way do you hope I have decided? Remember
now, the responsibility for the decision falls entirely on my shoulders, not
yours. So you can tell me perfectly honestly and without any fear, which way
do you hope I have decided?
MORTAL (after a very long pause): I hope you have decided to give him
free will.
GOD: Most interesting! I have removed your last obstacle! If I do not
give him free will, then no sin is to be imputed to anybody. So why do you
hope I will give him free will?
MORTAL: Because sin or no sin, the important point is that if you do
not give him free will, then (at least according to what you have said) he
will go around hurting people, and I don't want to see people hurt.