Back to Aquinas Arguments

Theology and action

Free will and divine providence

God governs all things as universal cause, while human beings act freely as real secondary causes.

Guiding question

How can divine providence include free human action without canceling it?

Why it matters

The account is essential for moral responsibility, prayer, grace, and God's governance of creation.

The argumentative movement

  1. 1God causes being and action at a deeper level than created agents cause particular effects.
  2. 2Created agents are true causes with their own modes of operation.
  3. 3Rational creatures act freely when they choose through intellect and will under providence.