Vasily Grossman, the brilliant Russian writer of the Second World War, in Life and Fate and Stalingrad (Third draft) poses three clear approaches to life and fate, leaving the reader to decide which one to choose.
The characters Gardi and Mostovskoy hold that they are absolved from responsibility for their actions but for different reasons. Gardi believes in the forgiveness of God while Mostovskoy believes his actions are determined by historico-economico-political forces so all-determining as to be the equivalent of God.
Ikonnikov insists he has free will and therefore is responsible for his own actions, no matter what force he is subjected to. Ikonnikov proves his point by condemning himself to death through his refusal to construct a gas chamber for the slaughter of Jews and others.
While Ikonnikov makes a moral choice by refusing to engage in the destruction of others to save himself, do the others'' choices and perceptions leave them merely puppets?
Many--fate is a general term of destiny. Is God in charge of it? Am I in control? Does anyone control my life? Maybe it is determined apart from fate as people like Hawkins seemed to imply.
Brendan,
I would suggest the world (etc) is complex and made up of several trails. In the above, the question, in the end, is one of responsibility.
Thank you for your provocative questions. After reviewing Grossman's work and his history, his brilliance is admirable. His having read Tolstoy's work of War and Peace at least several times, it is easy to to see where he gets much of his inspiration for his own work. I believe Grossman's work is a testimony to answer your first question. (Yes, there are many perspectives that can be taken.) It appears that he changes his perspective several times. I believe where and who we are in life, impacts that perspective. According to Tolstoy, historians should not study the actions of ministers, kings, and generals, but look at “the common, infinitesimally small elements by which the masses are moved." These views seem to be supported by the words of Grossman, when he says “Human groupings have one main purpose,” he wrote, “to assert everyone’s right to be different, to be special, to think, feel and live in his or her own way … The only true and lasting meaning of the struggle for life lies in the individual, in his modest peculiarities and his right to these peculiarities.”
Your second question about life and fate have been argued by many theologians as well as philosophers for centuries. I truly believe that there is a correct answer to this question. As many others, I will share my perspective as I see it. I simply offer my point of view as a theologian and one who loves to do research.
I believe real science reflects the truth that there is a master builder and designer behind who we are and all of life. With this assumption it is easy to say that this master builder has a plan for all of His creation. The more difficult question is that of control when it comes to human beings. As a theologian it is easy for me to understand that every one in this life is in one of two kingdoms. (The kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan) This includes every level of society, from kings, presidents, clergy, believer and unbeliever no matter what your nationality or where you were born.
As I mentioned earlier the real question is control. Control is empowered by Authority. Authority works when subjects are submissive to those over them. Based on this rationale, I hope you see where I am going with this. Each kingdom requires submission to its king. You can have rebellious Christians that act like the devil. This is because of their desire to control their own lives without constraints or accountability. We are each accountable for ourselves before that master builder. This is important when considering that both Tolstoy and Grossman come to the conclusion that we are all uniquely important with individual qualities and contributions no matter who we are and I will add, even what kingdom we belong to. We all have a unique part to play, so play it well!
