Belief in God and Affective States: A Free-Will Response to the Hiddenness Argument

Abstract

: The paper offers a new version of a free-will defence to Schellenberg’s hiddenness argument. Previous defences were accused of absolutizing human freedom and not showing how a cognitive state concerning divine existence could limit the moral freedom of people. The paper addresses these issues by referring to Aquinas’ and Pruss’ idea that there could be evidence favouring God that results in a cognitive state of certainty accompanied by the affective states that deprive people of moral freedom. A relationship with God founded on this evidence would not be personal. Therefore, God is justified in holding such a piece of evidence back (for at least a period of time).