Is this statement one of those false dichotomy?

[catholic0913]

Hello,

I know that “God either wills something or does not will that something.” is a false dichotomy, since it is possible that God neither wills nor does not will for something (this is where the permissive will of God kicks in, so to speak)

But what about the statement below?:

“God either allows some event A or does not allow the event A.”

Is this also a false dichotomy? To me, an event A can either happen or not happen. If God allows event A, it happens, and if God does not allow event A, then the event A will not happen. Therefore, the above statement is not a false dichotomy. If God actively wills for the event A, then he will certainly allow event A to happen, so the statement “God allows event A” encompasses the both possibilities of God actively willing the event AND passively permitting the event.

…or am I wrong?

Thank you,

 

[edarlitrix]

You are quite right, I believe.

 

[paulrxp]

Hello,

I know that “God either wills something or does not will that something.” is a false dichotomy, since it is possible that God neither wills nor does not will for something (this is where the permissive will of God kicks in, so to speak)

But what about the statement below?:

“God either allows some event A or does not allow the event A.”

Is this also a false dichotomy? To me, an event A can either happen or not happen. If God allows event A, it happens, and if God does not allow event A, then the event A will not happen. Therefore, the above statement is not a false dichotomy. If God actively wills for the event A, then he will certainly allow event A to happen, so the statement “God allows event A” encompasses the both possibilities of God actively willing the event AND passively permitting the event.

…or am I wrong?

Thank you,

Sounds like you’re right, seems to be mutually exclusive. Even as it pertains to our own free will, free will would be on the side of allowing event A to occur. The great thing is God gives us that free will, I’m sure he hopes we make the correct choices with it. Either way, he knows the outcome

 

[Rhubarb]

I don’t know if you would call it a strict false dichotomy but there is something interesting going on. You’ve admitted that God willing something encompasses two possibilities so there is then an ambiguity that can be made clear by being more explicit in your language. I think there are possible arguments (certain theodicies maybe) that can turn on this distinction of active willing and passive willing.