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Do other beings besides humans have free will? Perhaps animals have free will? What about angels?

Does the status of other types of beings' freedom of will affect us in any way?

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B"H, I have humbly tried to summarize the Friedlander translation of the Rambam's Moreh Nevuchim Section III Chapter XVII (link) as regards the free will of earthly beings other than man. Hashem Yerachem if I've erred in this task. Elements in brackets, including ellipses, are my own.

The Rambam begins with views "generally accepted by our Sages" on the matter:

According to this principle man does what is in his power to do - by his nature, his choice, and his will - and his action is not due to any faculty created for the purpose. All species of irrational animals likewise move by their own free will. This is the Will of G-d; that is to say, [...] that all living beings should move freely, and that man should have power to act according to his will or choice within the limits of his capacity. Against this principle we hear, [Baruch Hashem], no opposition on the part of our nation.

The Rambam later explains his view on the matter:

My opinion on this principle of Divine Providence [...] is that in the lower or sublunary portion of the Universe, Divine Providence does not extend to the individual members of species except in mankind. It is only in this species that the incidents in the existence of the individual beings, their good and evil fortunes, are the result of justice, in accordance with the words, "For all His ways are judgment." But I agree with Aristotle as regards all other living beings and, à fortiori, as regards plants and all the rest of earthly creatures. [As regards these other living beings] action is, according to my opinion, entirely due to chance, as taught by Aristotle. [...] This is expressed in the following passage: "And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them. They take up all of them with the angle" (Havakkuk 1:14-15). [...] One cannot object to this theory saying, "Why should G-d select mankind as the object of His special Providence, and not other living beings?" For he who asks this question must also inquire, "Why has man alone, of all species of animals, been endowed with intellect"? [...] Understand thoroughly my theory, that I do not ascribe to G-d ignorance of anything or any kind of weakness. I hold that Divine Providence is related and closely connected with the intellect, because Providence can only proceed from an intelligent being, from a being that is itself the most perfect Intellect. Those creatures, therefore, which receive part of that intellectual influence will become subject to the action of Providence in the same proportion as they are acted upon by the Intellect.

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Angels have free will.(I know many in judaisme say otherwise,Let`s look at the logic)

  • In midrash that occasionally angels get "punished," which shouldn't be possible if they lack free will.

  • There Is also written in Talmud about rebellion from the Angels.

  • And if you agree that Angels came to earth and live against Hashems will(Nephelim) The Question is easy,If you want logic.

Then you might argue,what is free will,but the question goes for humans as well?

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    Unfortunately most people don't believe the angels came to earth and slept with humans. But it would help your answer greatly if you sourced your bullet points so that way people can find all of these points
    – Aaron
    Commented Feb 19, 2016 at 18:00
  • @Aaron This is a very interesting question.Not everyone agree about The Book of Enoch.But If one think that It`s an interesting book,that jews might learn from .There are many chapters about how angels came to earth before the flood and learned them astrology,cosmetics,how to fight and Hashem did judge them.The free will Is so clear there,almost more will then the humans,because of so much knowledge and power.And also tell us how Demons came to earth,that they where created on earth.
    – Aigle
    Commented Feb 20, 2016 at 12:24
  • This supports your claim that angels have free will. Discussing the splitting of the Red Sea, the Talmud, Megillah 10b says, "The ministering angels wanted to sing their song, for the angels would sing songs to each other ... but the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: The work of My hands, the Egyptians, are drowning at sea, and you wish to say songs?"
    – Yehuda W
    Commented Aug 23, 2022 at 14:48
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    I am pretty sure that the people who hold that angels don't have free will, were also well versed in logic. Perhaps instead of just declaring that they are illogical, demonstrate it so we can see if you are right or wrong
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Commented Oct 7 at 14:37
  • You need a source for point 2, and another source for your interpretation of נפילים in point 3. Your last sentence isn’t an argument, but rather a loosely-related philosophical question.
    – Qwertrl
    Commented yesterday

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