Middle knowledge, also known as “Molinism” or “middle knowledge theory,” is a philosophical and theological concept that aims to reconcile the concepts of divine sovereignty and human free will. It is a position that has been debated within the realms of philosophy, theology, and metaphysics, particularly in discussions surrounding the problem of divine foreknowledge and human freedom.
To understand middle knowledge, it is essential to grasp the two concepts that it seeks to harmonize: divine sovereignty and human free will. Divine sovereignty refers to the belief that God possesses absolute authority and control over all things, including the past, present, and future. It suggests that God’s knowledge is complete, including knowledge of all events and outcomes. On the other hand, human free will asserts that individuals possess the capacity to make genuine choices and decisions independent of external constraints or predeterminations.
The central issue arises when considering how divine foreknowledge and human free will can coexist. If God possesses complete foreknowledge of all events, including the choices individuals will make, does this not imply that our choices are predetermined and that true freedom is an illusion? Middle knowledge attempts to address this problem by suggesting that God’s knowledge contains a “middle” kind of knowledge, which lies between natural knowledge and free knowledge.
To comprehend middle knowledge, we must understand the three types of knowledge that form the framework of this concept: natural knowledge, middle knowledge, and free knowledge.
Natural Knowledge. This refers to God’s knowledge of all necessary truths and logical possibilities. It encompasses knowledge of what could happen but does not necessarily mean it will happen. For instance, God knows that if a person were placed in a specific circumstance, they would make a particular choice, but it does not imply that the person will actually face that situation.
Middle Knowledge. This is the distinctive aspect of middle knowledge theory. Middle knowledge refers to God’s knowledge of what individuals would freely choose if placed in particular circumstances. It involves God’s understanding of counterfactuals, which are conditional statements about what people would choose if different circumstances were to occur. Middle knowledge bridges the gap between God’s knowledge of what could happen (natural knowledge) and what will happen (free knowledge).
Free Knowledge. This represents God’s knowledge of actual events and outcomes that will occur in the world. It includes knowledge of all choices and actions that individuals will genuinely make based on their free will. Free knowledge pertains to the actualization of events and is derived from God’s sovereign will.
Middle knowledge, therefore, posits that God’s knowledge consists not only of natural knowledge and free knowledge but also middle knowledge, which pertains to counterfactuals and what individuals would freely choose in hypothetical situations. This middle knowledge allows for a comprehensive understanding of human freedom and divine foreknowledge.
Advocates of middle knowledge argue that it preserves human freedom by affirming that our choices are not predetermined by God’s sovereignty. Instead, God’s middle knowledge allows for the genuine exercise of free will within the range of possibilities. From this perspective, God’s foreknowledge of our choices is not causative or deterministic but rather based on His omniscience and understanding of counterfactuals.
Critics of middle knowledge offer various objections. Some argue that it does not adequately address the problem of divine foreknowledge and human freedom, as it still suggests that God’s knowledge determines our choices in some way. Others question the logical coherence of counterfactuals and their place within God’s knowledge.
Despite the ongoing debates and criticisms, middle knowledge remains an intriguing concept within philosophical and theological discourse. It offers a possible resolution to the tensions between divine sovereignty and human free will, emphasizing God’s comprehensive knowledge while allowing for genuine human agency. While the intricacies of middle knowledge may be challenging to fully comprehend, it presents a compelling framework for exploring the complex relationship between God’s knowledge and human freedom.