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The purpose of this study is to examine Origen’s thoughts on the subject of human free will. Origen has described the topic of free will separately in his 『Peri Archon』, but it is not easy to systematically understand the theory because it contains a mixture of biblical commentary, theology, and philosophy. In addition, just as many church fathers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries focused on guarding against heresy and Gnosticism, Origen also wrote his works with the purpose of refuting them, and for this reason, it is difficult to independently understand his theory of free will. Accordingly, chapters 2 and 3 of this thesis compare the claims of the Gnostics identified by Origen with the author's own theory. Rejecting the fatalism and natural determinism of the ancients, Origen generally emphasized the importance of free will and also mentioned reason as the basis for free will and the ethical responsibility of action. Chapter 4 attempts to understand free will in its relationship with divine providence. Origen believed that free will and God's providence is not in conflict, but is compatible, and he further spoke of their dynamism, in which God's providence helps and embraces human will, allowing humans to use their free will better. Lastly, through Origen's insight into divine foreknowledge, we understand that free will does not conflict with foreknowledge and can be harmonized within providence.
A Wed, study studied this question.