A good point, from a reader, responding to my “what we are, WHAT I AM, is

not as much a product of my free will as I should prefer to think it is. All

the science on human nature is tugging in that direction, the determinist

direction; all our instincts and preferences and faith tug in the other

direction.’”

Reader: “Unless your faith is of a reformed/calvinist bent – in which case

you have no problem believing it.”

With a crucial difference, though. If my understanding of the deterministic

kinds of theology is right, you can’t ever know your fate, even though

it’s pre-ordained, because it’s in the hands of the Almighty. With

scientific inquiry into human nature, though, the prospect is that we might

be able to open the book and read the words.

I’m sanguine about this, think we shall go on living useful and rewarding

lives, and keep our dignity somehow. Our pride will surely be punctured –

but isn’t pride a sin anyway?