Disputes Quote by Maimonides
“I find it expressed in various passages of Scripture that the fact that God knows things while in a state of possibility, when their existence belongs to the future, does not change the nature of the possible in any way; that nature remains unchanged; and the knowledge of the realisation of one of several possibilities does not yet effect that realisation. This is likewise one of the fundamental principles of the Law of Moses concerning which there is no doubt nor any dispute.”
About This Quote
Divine foreknowledge of future possibilities does not alter the nature of those possibilities, nor does knowing which will occur change its eventual realization.
In simple terms: God knowing the future doesn’t change what can happen.
Key Takeaway
Knowledge of future doesn’t alter outcomes.
Themes
theology
philosophy
determinism
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scriptural study
- ethical decision making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Divine omniscience
possibility
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- Does knowing possible outcomes affect our choices?
- How do we reconcile free will with divine foreknowledge?
A Different Perspective
The concept challenges human perception of control.
![“WHEN reading my present treatise, bear in mind that by "faith" we do not understand merely that which is uttered with the lips, but also that which is apprehended by the soul, the conviction that the object [of belief] is exactly as it is apprehended. If, as regards real or supposed truths, you…” quote by Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fbb/maimonides-2639_articles_when-reading-my-present-treatise-bear-in_78488.jpg)
