This is actually a major question whether you approach it from a theistic point of view or not.
One concept of the Christian God is that He is there are the beginning of time, the end of time, and the middle of time similtaneously. God is at all times, in all places, and knows all that passes before Him. In this case it is difficult to fit in the concept of Free Will -- everything is a "dumb show" that is settled from the very beginning (and end). God, in this model, has foreknowledge AND everything is predestined as it has all already taken place (just as it IS taking place in the present and HAS taken place in the past and WILL take place in the future). This is essentially the position of the Presbyterians, settled on in the 16th century -- Calvin, Knox and the crew believed in this (as did my grandmother up until she died, Auld School Scotswoman that she was).
But let us look at this from a non-theistic perspective just for a moment.
Position 1: Every action has an antecedant condition that impels it. Each previous action also had an antecedant condition, and so on backwards. Each condition sets up a necessary course of action. Just as if we could predict each and every ending position of a break on a billiards table if only we knew each of the variables involved in the break itself, each of the balls, the state of the table, wind currents, etc., so, too, would all of life be reduced to a series of cause-and-effect calculations. In this case there is no Free Will, as each action is predetermined (even we do not understand each and every pre-set condition).
Postion 2: Actions do NOT have antecedante conditions that impel them. Thus a break on a billiards table would cause an elephant to appear in the middle of the table and start discussing the finer point of Newtonian physics. Since this is an utterly random event, again we have no control over the action and thus there is no Free Will involved, only random action.
The problem here is Too Much Logic. Logic works well on a 2-term basis -- yes/no, on/off, black/white, open/closed. This is the basis of most Western thought. We like to think of ourselves of Logical (and Reasonable) individuals. But what if there were a third term in Logic? Yes/No/Maybe? On/Off/Partial? Black/White/Grey? This would up-end most of our discussion, lead to the possibility of Free Will, and punch a large hole in science as we know it.
In many ways, I think our search, as a group, is for an understanding of that Third Term.
Without it, life is reduced to logic gates, there is no Free Will, and thus life is a farce.
I refuse to believe life has absolutely no meaning or purpose.
Pesonal opinion, expressed only by the ex-management.
