Final answer:
The gift given by God that allows humans to choose between good and evil is free will, but this concept has varying interpretations within religious and philosophical traditions, such as Augustine's viewpoint on human choice and responsibility and Calvin's predestination doctrine that views free will as an illusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gift given to us by God that allows us to choose between good and evil is free will. This concept is often discussed in the context of religious and philosophical studies, as it reflects on the human capacity for making choices independently of divine determination. In the tradition of the Free Will Defense, it is suggested that a deity provides humans with free will to test them, allowing them to choose good over evil and thus be eligible for rewards or punishments based on their choices.
However, this concept does not come without its complexities. For instance, Augustine's contribution implies that despite knowing the outcome of human actions, God has bestowed upon us the ability to choose, thus maintaining responsibility on the human for their actions. On the other hand, Calvin's doctrine of predestination challenges the notion of free will by suggesting that divine will predetermines the fate of every individual, and that human perception of free will is merely an illusion.
These perspectives highlight the ongoing debate about the nature of free will, the existence of evil, and the characteristics of a deity that knows the future yet allows for individual choice and the resulting moral implications.