Is the free will of a schizophrenic compromised somewhat?

Question

I mean unknown forces of evil are working strongly on some of their minds. They can't call their thoughts their own. Though they do have some ability to choose good or evil when they are not at their worst.

Answer 1

I would like to point out that unknown forces of evil work on everybody's minds. The whole world is deceived by the Devil, Revelation 12/9, and lies in wickedness, 1 John 5/19

In that sense everybody's freewill is compromised somewhat.

Further consider the minds of children, are they able to make informed choices of freewill?

Also when we dream can we call those thoughts our own?

These are not easy questions to consider.

Are these forces of evil working any more strongly on the minds of schizophrenics than on the minds of others, or is it that the mind of a schizophrenic is simply more hindered in certain of it's operations, just as a man with a broken leg is more limited in mobility and he has less control over his movements?

In any of the cases it is only God who is able to determine and to provide the remedy or provision to cater for the difficulty.

The mind is able to understand and explain things and can be enlightened but it is with the heart that man believes, Romans 10/9, 2 Corinthians 3/16. It is the heart that God looks upon and is vital - keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life, Proverbs 4/23.

In that sense the mind serves the heart and so if the mind is interfered with is it not the heart that God looks at ?

Then give your heart to the Lord and seek Him - Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51/10

Then He will cover for everything.

Answer 2

I don't really know where good and evil work enter into the question of the free will of a schizophrenic. Very often they do perceive that they lack free will and are being controlled by others- and in the sense that many feel compelled by others to take psychiatric medication, they may be partially correct. Their thinking is not a struggle between good vs. evil but between reality based and delusional thinking. Their thoughts are their own, rather than being inserted into their minds by outside forces. Schizophrenics often are successful in challenging their delusional thinking and hallucinations and acting logically and effectively. This often requires a high degree of motivation, such as a desire to remain an active parent to children, and outside emotional/social support.

Answer 3

Your question gives the impression that the free will of everyone NOT a schizophrenic is NOT compromised! Think again! Every one of us is compromised when it comes to exercising our will. We have the baggage of our upbringing, we have the gravitational pull of our personalities and the influences of other people, and that's before getting on to the topic of forces of sin, and evil! Can you call your thoughts your own? Can anyone?
There are forces unknown to us at work in ALL of our minds!

Answer 4

You really don't have a true understanding of the illness schizophrenia. Sufferers of schizophrenia experience auditory hallucination which are usually derogatory to them and delusional beliefs that usually about paranoid situation with themselves as the victim in the scenarios.

I think that you should research schizophrenia a bit more. Perhaps start by looking into the Diagnostic Statistical Manual which will give you a specific breakdown of the symptoms that they suffer.

Also i would have to wonder what you mean by 'free will' I think that sufferers of schizophrenia do not have the opportunity to live their lives to their full potential but this is probably more due to society's belief that all sufferers of schizophrenia are dangerous murderers, the person most at risk from the sufferer of schizophrenia is themselves. The most common cause of death for chronic sufferers is suicide.

You have asked a very interesting question but i think that you have to explore the illness of schizophrenia and the concept of free will then perhaps ask the question again.

Answer 5

Wow! That's a real mind bender! Really, though, such an enquiry points out the clear need for God. Only an omniscienent mind could rightly judge the workings (and responsibility) of a troubled mind. Morality can only be determined in the context of the capacity of the person.

I guess if we didn't have God to work these things out for us, we'd have to invent Him.

Answer 6

You're getting mixed up with Jekyll and Hide you plum. Schizo's don't necessarily 'turn evil'..... Some of them have two good sides, like Santa Claus (he turns into the Easter Bunny when he gets angry)....

Answer 7

In some, yes. There are many causes that would cause somebody to "not be responsible" for their actions or choices (free will.)

Immaturity, mental illness (psychological or physiological), duress, ignorance, etc. God takes all of these things into account.

Answer 8

vgq
dunno about forces of evil
but q very good
if each is a distinct personality
each has free will at the time of dominance
if both dominant at same time tricky
but then of course there is the, is there any free will really........

Answer 9

Yes it is minimized somewhat, but so is their accountability to God for their actions.

You can't have the concept of choice without accountability to finish it, and they will always be in balance.

Answer 10

Schizophrenia is a physiological disease. I believe that many can control most impulses with meds. Those meds are debilitating though. I am grateful that I don't have it.