Note: This post is meant to be read after the one on the Decalogues.
If the world is completely deterministic (as I believe) then one need only have complete knowledge of the past in order to know the future in its entirety. In fact, if that person were to have a complete understand of physics and the rules of interaction between things, they would only need to know a single moment of the universe to plot its advancement forward.
The real question is, why would anyone want to? Yes it is true that in knowing the future one would be able to be perfect in their own interactions and thus achieve the best possible scenario in any situation. However, there would be absolutely no surprise in their life. Is it not uncertainty that gives value to accomplishment? The very reason we put value in accomplishment is the fact that there was always some doubt as to whether it could, in fact and reality, be accomplished.
I would say that a person with omniscience would be reduced to a life of hedonism. In knowing the future, they would know exactly what they will do, and thus there is no point in thinking about how best to act. Without any worries about how to act towards a better future, the only thing to do is enjoy the ride. How else could an omniscient person live life with any sense of purpose?
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