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Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion
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Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Humanities/Philosophies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 5067

Special Issue Editors

Dr. David Torrijos-Castrillejo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Philosophy, San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Interests: philosophy; religion
Prof. Dr. Jorge Luis Gutiérrez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Sao Paolo, Brazil
Interests: ancient Greek religion; ancient Greek philosophy; Bible studies; Aristotle; Aristotelianism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Greek word heimarmene, translated in Latin as fatum and in English as ‘fate’ (sometimes also as ‘destiny’), refers to one of the doctrinal elements in which Greek religion intersects with philosophy. It is a challenge for philosophical reasons to study the interweaving of the alleged causality of fate with that of other causes. Reflection on fate also raises philosophical questions about contingent futures, freedom of the will, determinism, divine foreknowledge and providence, etc. Moreover, this theme is related to countless human situations that are common in Greek epics and tragedies (and, insofar, it was inspired by the occidental literature as a whole): unexpected happiness, mortal incapacity to resist misfortune, divination, man’s relationship with the divine, etc. Since the topics of free will and determinism, divine foreknowledge, and so on are very present in contemporary philosophy of religion, it is particularly interesting to explore how these matters were addressed by Greek philosophers and even by other Greek authors, who are not usually considered philosophers. Late antique Greek thought revisits the theme of fate and divine providence within the framework of Christian religion, in close dialogue with “pagan” Greek philosophy. These interchanges also represent a valuable contribution to the metaphysics of fate.

We are pleased to invite you to participate in this Special Issue of Religions on fate. Here, we would like to bring together articles on this question from an interdisciplinary perspective, but with a particular focus on ancient Greek philosophy and religion. When referring to ancient Greek thought, we are including late antique and Christian thought.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following: fate in ancient Greek epic and tragedy, the Stoic interpretation of the religious idea of fate, the connection of fate with traditional Greek religion and other religious movements, the understanding of fate in the different Hellenistic philosophical schools, the philosophical criticism of Stoic fate or its reformulation, the relationship between fate and providence, questions connected with the relationship between determinism and free will in ancient Greek thought, ancient Christian approaches to the notion of fate, its criticism or its integration, etc.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. David Torrijos-Castrillejo
Prof. Dr. Jorge Luis Gutiérrez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fate
  • providence
  • foreknowledge
  • determinism
  • free will
  • divination
  • fortune
  • causality
  • contingent future
  • necessity

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Free Will and Divine Sovereignty in Eusebius of Emesa: A Fourth-Century Antiochene Homily Against Determinism
by José Cebrián Cebrián
Religions 2025, 16(5), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16050585 - 1 May 2025
Abstract
This study examines Eusebius of Emesa’s De arbitrio, voluntate Pauli et Domini passione (Homily I), a fourth-century homily rediscovered in the twentieth century, to elucidate its contribution to the theological debate on free will within early Christianity. While Eusebius, a bishop of the [...] Read more.
This study examines Eusebius of Emesa’s De arbitrio, voluntate Pauli et Domini passione (Homily I), a fourth-century homily rediscovered in the twentieth century, to elucidate its contribution to the theological debate on free will within early Christianity. While Eusebius, a bishop of the Antiochene school, has been historically overlooked, his homily offers a nuanced defence of human moral agency against the deterministic paradigms prevalent in late antiquity. Through a critical analysis of the text, focusing on key biblical episodes—the conversion of St Paul, the election of Jeremiah and Jacob, and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart—this article demonstrates how Eusebius reconciles divine sovereignty with free will by prioritising literal exegesis and emphasising humanity’s God-given capacity for self-determination. The methodology combines close textual analysis with contextualisation within broader theological controversies, particularly addressing Stoic fatalism, Gnostic predestination, and Manichaean dualism. The results reveal that Eusebius’s arguments, though pastoral in intent, are philosophically rigorous, asserting that free will underpins moral responsibility and virtue, while Christ’s voluntary Passion exemplifies divine respect for human freedom. The study concludes that Eusebius’s homily not only refutes deterministic worldviews, but also affirms free will as a theological cornerstone, bridging scriptural interpretation and doctrinal orthodoxy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
12 pages, 7063 KiB  
Article
Nemesius of Emesa on Fate
by David Torrijos-Castrillejo
Religions 2025, 16(5), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16050573 - 29 Apr 2025
Viewed by 77
Abstract
This paper analyses the section of Nemesius of Emesa’s treatise On the Nature of Man dedicated to fate. The main objective is to analyse Nemesius’s response to the supporters of a notion of fate within the framework of astral determinism, Stoicism, and Middle [...] Read more.
This paper analyses the section of Nemesius of Emesa’s treatise On the Nature of Man dedicated to fate. The main objective is to analyse Nemesius’s response to the supporters of a notion of fate within the framework of astral determinism, Stoicism, and Middle Platonism. Following a mainly descriptive method, the paper focuses on Nemesius’s own thought and not just on his treatment of his sources, as much of the existing literature has done until now. Without pretending to give a definitive answer on the originality of his own philosophy, we examine how Nemesius assigns some of the functions of fate in one of his Middle Platonic sources to divine providence. In doing so, he develops a personal theology in which he gives an innovative prominence to divine free will and transcendence in the traditional philosophical problem of providence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
16 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Considerations on Fate in the Iliad and the Remarkable Interventions of the Divine
by Angela Zamora Cilento
Religions 2025, 16(5), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16050557 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 127
Abstract
By borrowing the metaphor of the ‘tapestry of existence’ to discuss the matter of fate in Homer’s Iliad, we selected four threads that are interwoven in the warp of each hero’s destiny—that of necessity/fatality, the relations between Zeus and the Moîra, the [...] Read more.
By borrowing the metaphor of the ‘tapestry of existence’ to discuss the matter of fate in Homer’s Iliad, we selected four threads that are interwoven in the warp of each hero’s destiny—that of necessity/fatality, the relations between Zeus and the Moîra, the plots and tricks of the gods, and fate and human actions—with the aim of inviting the reader to appreciate the texture of the work with the passages that most caught our attention, without the intention of exhausting the subject. To do so, we draw upon the origin of the word Moîra in anthropology, as well as some of Heidegger’s ideas and those of other commentators to enrich the discussion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
23 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
An Exploration of Fate in Plato’s Theology: Focusing on the Interpretation of the Timaeus’ Cosmology
by Qi Zhao
Religions 2025, 16(4), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16040495 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
In the Timaeus, Plato explores the topic of cosmology. The demiurge creates a perfect cosmos by imitating the eternal being and using necessity as an auxiliary cause. The unique cosmos not only contains immortal gods, but also mortal living beings. Concerning the [...] Read more.
In the Timaeus, Plato explores the topic of cosmology. The demiurge creates a perfect cosmos by imitating the eternal being and using necessity as an auxiliary cause. The unique cosmos not only contains immortal gods, but also mortal living beings. Concerning the academic research on cosmology in Plato’s Timaeus, scholars have explored it through reason, good, and necessity, and they have conducted in-depth analyses of multiple dimensions, such as human organs and diseases. Nonetheless, we should acknowledge the significance of fate, a hidden thread that runs through all of Plato’s cosmology. Whether it is the immortal cosmos created by the demiurge or the mortal humans created by the lesser gods, both demonstrate the significance of fate. This article takes the horizon of divine providence and uses eikos logos as the argument pattern to explore characteristics of determinism contained in the hidden concept of fate in the Timaeus. We cannot ignore the crucial significance of freedom in the thought of fate. Without freedom, the demiurge cannot achieve the overall goodness of the cosmos. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
12 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Disorder, Punishment, and Grace: The Harmonization of Divine Will and Fate in the Prometheus Trilogy
by Xiao Ren
Religions 2025, 16(4), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16040483 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
In the Prometheus trilogy, fate dictates critical actions taken by Prometheus, such as forming alliances, stealing fire, facing punishment, and eventual liberation. This trajectory gradually aligns with the divine will of Zeus, reflecting the theological framework of early Greek religion. Within the play, [...] Read more.
In the Prometheus trilogy, fate dictates critical actions taken by Prometheus, such as forming alliances, stealing fire, facing punishment, and eventual liberation. This trajectory gradually aligns with the divine will of Zeus, reflecting the theological framework of early Greek religion. Within the play, Prometheus’s rebellion against the established order of distribution determines his “unlawful act”, which brings about retributive justice—a theological necessity for restoring the balance between human advancement and divine sovereignty. In essence, Prometheus’s punishment results from the interplay between fate and Zeus’s rule, yet this suffering is essential for the harmonization of the cosmic order. Consequently, throughout this process, Zeus’s divine justice undergoes continuous evolution, ultimately establishing the foundation for the legitimacy of civic ethics and providing a theological justification for the justice of human suffering. Ultimately, Aeschylus traces civic ethical norms to Zeus’s justice, demonstrating how democracy gains legitimacy through theological discourse, which highlights the intricate connections among Greek religion, democracy, and tragedy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
16 pages, 344 KiB  
Article
Did God Cause the World by an Act of Free Will, According to Aristotle? A Reading Based on Thomistic Insights
by Carlos A. Casanova
Religions 2025, 16(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010052 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
As a contribution to the reflection on whether classic Greek philosophy gave priority either to Necessity and the Fatum or to freedom, this paper endeavors to prove three theses: (1) according to Aristotle, God caused the being of the world by an act [...] Read more.
As a contribution to the reflection on whether classic Greek philosophy gave priority either to Necessity and the Fatum or to freedom, this paper endeavors to prove three theses: (1) according to Aristotle, God caused the being of the world by an act of His will; (2) such an act of divine will was free and not necessary; (3) however, such causation is subject to the necessity of supposition. In order to do this, the paper delves into the interpretation of many passages contained in the Physics, the Metaphysics, De anima, Nicomachean Ethics, Eudemian Ethics as well as Politics, Topika, De generatione et corruptione, De coelo and De partibus animalium. This interpretation benefits from Aquinas’ acute analysis. In such passages, Aristotle holds that (1) God’s causal power must be exercised not in proportion to the magnitude of divine power, but to the requirements of the effect; (2) such a way of acting is similar to human power; (3) nature is subject to teleology because it is caused by an intellectual power; (4) God is the highest intelligible and the highest good, totally autarchic; and (5) just as the highest intelligible is simultaneously also intellect, so too is the highest good simultaneously also will. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
9 pages, 5445 KiB  
Article
Parmenides as a Thinker of Fate
by David Torrijos-Castrillejo
Religions 2024, 15(11), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15111295 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1218
Abstract
Although some ancient sources relate Parmenides to the religious doctrine of fate, this concept is not usually prominent in the scholarly presentation of the Eleatic thinker. Here, we offer a tentative interpretation of the notion of necessity in Parmenides’ poem, as a peculiar [...] Read more.
Although some ancient sources relate Parmenides to the religious doctrine of fate, this concept is not usually prominent in the scholarly presentation of the Eleatic thinker. Here, we offer a tentative interpretation of the notion of necessity in Parmenides’ poem, as a peculiar philosophical understanding of the presence of fate in reality. Necessity, divinised by Parmenides, implies that all things are bound together by the chains of fate. Therefore, his philosophical proposal consists in understanding this unity of reality originated by the connexion of fatal necessity. However, this presence of fate in all things is not bad news, but also means that everything is connected by Love. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)
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