Theo-cosmo-gony: The Eternal Past and Human Freedom

Abstract

If for Kant the discussion of the two alleged kinds of causality, namely, of nature and freedom, is destined to lead thought into antinomical assertions even when it is limited to the realm of phenomena (CPR, p. 409), then Schelling’s attempt to place nature, necessity and freedom in God is a breakthrough, since it places this antinomical relation in the realm of noumena. In Schelling’s account God is conceptualized as both original nature and original freedom, while human freedom is understood as the possibility of good and evil. Similarly with Kierkegaard, the importance of Schelling’s definition lies in this ‘and’ which adds evil to the definition of freedom and Heidegger does not miss the opportunity to observe the radical change Schelling effects to the traditional definition of freedom.