Determinism Quote by Sylvan Barnet
““We can say that Faustus makes a choice, and that he is responsible for his choice, but there is in the play a suggestion—sometimes explicit, sometimes only dimly implicit—that Faustus comes to destruction not merely through his own actions but through the actions of a hostile cosmos that entraps him. In this sense, too, there is something of Everyman in Faustus. The story of Adam, for instance, insists on Adam's culpability; Adam, like Faustus, made himself, rather than God, the center of his existence. And yet, despite the traditional expositions, one cannot entirely suppress the commonsense response that if the Creator knew Adam would fall, the Creator rather than Adam is responsible for the fall; Adam ought to have been created of better stuff.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, 1592
The quote explores personal responsibility versus cosmic determinism, comparing Faustus and Adam as figures who choose self‑centered paths, yet are also shaped by larger forces that may share blame for their downfall.
In simple terms: People are responsible for choices, but larger forces can also cause ruin.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both personal agency and external influences.
Themes
responsibility
determinism
hubris
theology
tragedy
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- literary analysis
- theological debate
- psychological reflection
Key Concepts
free will
fate
cosmic oppression
ethical culpability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal blame with external pressures?
- Can destiny be blamed for moral failures?
A Different Perspective
The claim that a creator is responsible can undermine personal accountability.
![“In the beginning, therefore, did God form Adam, not as if He stood in need of man, but that He might have [some one] upon whom to confer His benefits.” quote by The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c80/the-church-fathers-1438_quote_in-the-beginning-therefore-did-god-form_2714121.jpg)
