History Main / OmniscientMoralityLicense

** The Eleventhth Doctor still has moments of this — he is almost as manipulative and secretive as Seven when it comes to using his companions as chess pieces, and the show is more reserved about treating it unambiguously as a character flaw. In [[Recap/DoctorWho2010CSAChristmasCarol "A Christmas Carol"]] (which was even adapted from a Seventh Doctor story written by Steven Moffat), the Doctor uses time travel to rewrite someone's personality by manipulating their life until that point, and while Kazran in his original state is an awful person, the show glosses over the fact that he's not ''making the choice'' to become better as you would normally expect in the YetAnotherChristmasCarol plot, but having his life modified by an external person who knows the outcome. Kazran objects to what is happening at first, but (while its working) becomes a happier person as a result. Then TheReveal from his love interest spins him back to misery and old Kazran is delighted to throw the futility of it in the Doctor's face.

A character with an Omniscient Morality License is usually one of the PowersThatBe or very close to it. They can do ''anything'' to the hero and still be considered one of the good guys because they ''know'' it will turn out okay, [[GambitRoulette regardless of the seeming randomness of chance]] and [[ForWantOfANail choices made]]. Sometimes this is attributed to supernatural rules (like the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil) or TimeTravel.

** Lampshaded in the second episode where God tells Joan to join AP Chemistry. Joan becomes partners with Grace and Adam and invites them over to her house for a study session. Adam recognizes Joan's father (the police chief) who his dad works for as head of the police impound lot. Joan's mother looks at the stock at the lot and finds that there is a car with hand controls which will give mobility to their paralyzed son, which in turn starts to break him out of his depression. When Joan points this out and who she got what God was trying to teach her, God further explains that this isn't a vacuum. All of those actions will have an effect on the world that Joan couldn't begin to understand and it was all because she did something as simple as sign up for a new class, handily demonstrating to the viewers what would happen for the rest of the series.

* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' has Clockwork and the Observants. Clockwork's reaction to Danny's [[PsychoForHire evil]] [[BadFuture future]] where he's a mass-murdering, rampaging sadistic sociopath? "So he's the strongest, most evil ghost in the Ghost Zone. So what." No wonder some fans think him to be evil. Clockwork has the advantage of knowing everything, or at least all the outcomes. It's in his CatchPhrase. The fact that he never used his knowledge for outright good or evil shows that he's being neutral about using his power. That said, he does ultimately help the heroes stop Dark Danny and becomes Dark Danny's jailor. He also later helps Danny cure his friends of a deadly disease, pressing the ResetButton when Danny accidentally [[MakeWrongWhatOnceWentRight made wrong what once went right]] and intentionally giving him the clue needed to fix the problem in the ''present''. It seems Clockwork's overall NeutralGood.

->''"God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of His own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players,[[note]] i.e., everybody[[/note]] to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch-dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a Dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who '''smiles all the time'''".''

* In ''LightNovel/GoodLuckNinomiyaKun'', the hero and heroine's family is a mass of absolute jerks willing to continuously mentally and physically torment the main characters, up to and including faking their own death just to get them riled up, as part of a "training" course. While they aren't explicitly stated to have God-like powers, their ability to be anywhere and everywhere at once borders on DeusExMachina.

* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}''

* [[spoiler:The God-Emperor of Mankind]], in his ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'' role, persuades [[spoiler:the other canon!40k gods]] to send back a sadistic Keeper of Secrets rather than [[TheChessmaster a Lord of Change]] on the basis that Shinji had to learn that [[spoiler:"when the gods are assholes, mortals suffer"]]. Somewhat understandably, Shinji gets enraged and punches him. Made even worse in that by the sidestory, they seem to have forgotten this lesson, rendering it a BrokenAesop.

* In ''Fanfic/{{Origins}}'', the NeglectfulPrecursors seem to think they have one -- but they also argue over [[DuelingMessiahs who among themselves has it]].
* The Fans in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''. Even though she loves the four, Shag thinks nothing of dropping them into a dangerous environment, completely unprepared and ignorant of everything. Jeft [[spoiler:is one of the {{Big Bad}}s and turns on his own character at the end]]. And Varx... oh, shut up, Varx.

* ''FanFic/BringMeToLife'': Jasmine ''thinks'' she has this, and states as such during her MotiveRant against Buffy and Angel:
-->'''Angel''': Who the hell gave you the right to decide who lives and dies?\\
'''Jasmine''': ''I'' did! I'm not human, vampire- so don't try to treat me as one!
* ''FanFic/LeftBeyond'': The Third Temple cadre runs the world on this basis, to the point where impromptu execution by Divine lightning are common and, by and large, tolerated by the population. Until someone invents a better lightning rod, that is.
* ''FanFic/RosarioVampireBrightestDarkness'':

* In ''Fanfic/TheInfiniteLoops'', there's a very real possibility that Loopers, especially Anchors, will fall into thinking they have this, as an effect of SeenItAll and AGodAmI. Sakura Syndrome is one such example, where the Looper believes that nothing they do matters, so they have carte blanche and can still remain morally pure.
* The narrator of ''Literature/AesirCrossWars'', also known as the [[AuthorAvatar author]]. He's an omnipresent pain in the ass to the characters, and sometimes actively hinders the heroes. Sometimes, he actually ''forces'' the characters to do stupid things such as falling for SchmuckBait. And, despite this, things ''always'' turn out fine in the end.

* ''Film/DropDeadFred'': The title character does random, chaotic, highly disruptive, and seemingly pointless things, but said actions unfailingly serve to benefit ''someone'' in the end. One of the best examples was when Fred sinks the protagonist's friend's houseboat. The owner of the houseboat later received a massive insurance payout, far larger than what she expected, and was able to buy a much nicer house as a result.
* Subverted in ''Film/ManOnFire''. "Do you think God'll forgive us for what we've done?" "No." Which is an interesting take on the concept. If he's already irredeemable, there's no reason to have any moral compunction left.
-->''"Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting."''

* [[spoiler:The Network]] in ''Film/TheWorldsEnd'' is a deconstruction of this. [[spoiler: It says that its plan of uplifting humanity by giving them advanced technology and replacing dissenters with Blanks is justified because that's the only way they'll have any hope of fitting in in the larger galactic community. But the main characters point out that out of everyone in Newton Haven, only two or three people haven't been replaced, and that the Network isn't helping humanity, it's destroying it. After an argument, the Network decides that it's not worth it and leaves Earth, taking most of modern technology with it.]]

* ''Literature/LoneWolf''

* Most of the characters' issues with god emperor Leto II in ''[[Literature/{{Dune}} God Emperor of Dune]]'' revolves around his near-omniscience and the resulting path he leads humanity down because of it. Duncan Idaho in particular takes issue with it, as well as Leto's [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman transformation into a nigh-immortal sandworm/human hybrid]]. When queried, Leto argues that the higher morality conferred by his gift of prescience compels him to act in ways that seem unimaginably cruel when the alternative is the complete extinction of humanity. Unlike most examples of this trope, Leto occasionally doubts himself and wonders if he's doing the right thing due to him being very, very aware of the evil of his actions.\\\
To be specific, humanity needed [[SpiceOfLife melange]] for space travel. Melange could only be found on Arrakis, so humanity had confined itself to planets close to it. Leto II realized that if they continued on this path, humanity would die out. To counter this, he ruled over humanity in a reign spanning thousands of years, restricting both their freedom and travel. This was so that as soon as he died, humanity would satisfy a three and a half millennia long thirst for freedom and travel and explode out beyond the reach of known space. Humanity would thus be spread out so far and have no vital center, and would thus never end. Leto called it the "Golden Path." He stated that his father, Paul Muad'dib, also saw the Golden Path, but was too frightened to start it. There was also another part to it; prescience itself is a trap, since once something is foreseen it becomes inevitable. He used his rule to spread the previously unique genetics and technology that render people immune to it far and wide, so nobody can pull the crap he pulled again.

* ''Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar''

* ''Literature/SwordOfTruth''

* ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed''

* ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice''
** In ''VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness'' [[spoiler: Master Lamington manipulates Laharl's group, the EDF, Vulcanus, and even the Angels.]] Laharl calls him out. [[UnstoppableRage Very hard]] [[spoiler: Of course, Lamington's motivations are not necessarily bad.]]
** ''VideoGame/Disgaea4APromiseUnforgotten'' delivers one in the form of the demons, who continually cast judgement on humans for being "bad", "sinful" and "warlike" and look down on them for becoming secular and not fearing demons enough anymore to provide them with the "fear energy" demons require (the fact that demons are essentially parasites living off humans is apparently lost on all the protagonists). There's also another with this universe's God who places genocide machines on every inhabited world in the universe and activates them when he feels like it. Not only is he indignant if the protagonists stop this happening to Earth, but if you get the ending where Valvatorez and co. actually defeat God's avatar in battle, the game ends with both Earth and it's Netherword being burned by God's forces.

* ''VideoGame/DotHackGUGames'': Ovan, full stop. He [[spoiler:puts Shino in a coma and enables Sakaki to MindRape people and attempt to take over the world. Why does he do all this? So that [[TheHero Haseo]] will be able to stop AIDA.]]
** Though after his motivations come to light [[spoiler:after he's defeated in Vol. 3,]] Haseo is not impressed at all and revokes that liscence. [[WhatTheHellHero He screams at Ovan in rage and frustration for everyone he's hurt in the name of his plans]]

** As part of the deconstruction, [[spoiler: Sans]] [[DiscussedTrope directly questions this trope]] during the Final Judgment of certain game paths.
-->'''[[spoiler: Sans]]:''' sometimes... you act like you know what's gonna happen. like [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall you've already experienced it all before]]. this is an odd thing to say, but... [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility if you have some sort of special power... isn't it your responsibility to do the right thing?]]
-->'''Yes'''
-->'''[[spoiler: Sans]]:''' ah. i see. ... '''[[spoiler: T h e n w h y ' d y o u k i l l m y b r o t h e r ?]]'''
-->or
-->'''No'''
-->'''[[spoiler: Sans]]:''' heh. well, that's your viewpoint. i won't judge you for it. ... '''[[spoiler: Y o u d i r t y b r o t h e r k i l l e r.]]'''
* [[spoiler: Wilhelm]] in ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}''. Though he does show concern for the future of humanity, he has no concern for anyone who perishes during the course of his plans, even his closest allies, and sees all of life as a grand stage performance.

* ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan: Oracle for Hire''

** Debatable in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'', where protagonist Shinn Asuka and OlderAndWiser hero Kira Yamato ended up on opposite sides of the conflict, which obviously lead to trouble and {{flame war}}s (which still continue years after the series' conclusion). Some fans claim the [[WordOfGod director insisted in interviews]] that Shinn was always the hero, and that Kira had "strayed from the path of justice"; other fans of Kira and his allies insist that they were in the right and that Shinn was the "true villain". (That Shinn spends the climactic battle sidelined after being defeated and humbled by Kira's best friend Athrun, and had up to that point been fighting for the side that Kira and company were trying to stop from using a WaveMotionGun, probably had a lot to do with that perception.)\\\
The {{flame war}}s have gotten so bad amongst Gundam fans, that even after all these years that WordOfGod has changed his initial position, and now posits that Athrun was the main character. It hasn't helped.

* ComicBook/{{Cable}} generally acts like this, thanks to coming from the future and already knowing how everything turns out. This was a big plot point in ''Cable & Deadpool'', though he was called on it a lot, and it was often hard to tell how much was Cable genuinely believing it, how much was [[BatmanGambit an act]] befitting [[MessianicArchetype his role]], and how much was psychological warfare.
* Curiously, although he's also from the future and is accompanied by a floating repository of 21st century history, ComicBook/BoosterGold doesn't. On the other hand, this might be partly because Booster needs ''not'' to let on that he's a TimeCop like Cable, and [[ObfuscatingStupidity pretend to be materialistic and harmless]] (something he's good enough at to fool Superman).
* ComicBook/ProfessorX is infamous for this, though in the last couple of decades his [[BrokenPedestal pedestal has been thoroughly broken]] and he's been called on his more questionable acts, ''hard''. It's notable that mutants who didn't grow up under his eye - particularly [[ComicBook/XMan Nate Grey]], {{ComicBook/Cable}}, and, to a lesser extent, their sister, ComicBook/RachelSummers - are much less willing to put up with his antics. Nate likes the dream but doesn't trust Xavier an inch (and not entirely without reason) and has his own methods and agenda, Cable respects Xavier but also has his own agenda for protecting mutants and humans alike, and Rachel has absolutely no hesitation after ''[[MoralEventHorizon Deadly Genesis]]'' in calling him on his sketchy behaviour.
* Tony Stark[=/=]Comicbook/IronMan, in Marvel comics. "I'm a futurist!" Ironically, he's now lost his position, become a wanted man, and had his world fall down around his ears. Bet you didn't see that one coming, eh Tony?

** Reed Richards exemplifies the trope again during the ''ComicBook/CivilWar'', using a ShoutOut to the central concept of Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''{{Franchise/Foundation}}'' series; the [[FictionalFieldOfScience fictional mathematical science]] of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychohistory_(fictional) psychohistory]] (wherein one can, with enough time and mathematical expertise, [[PrescienceByAnalysis predict the generalized "future history" of mankind through mathematical formulae]]). [[spoiler:Using his new mathematical science, Reed Richards discovers that if the new SuperhumanRegistrationAct, which would require all superhumans to register their identities with the government regardless if they rely on the identities' secrecy for their own or loved ones' safety, doesn't pass and come into law the resulting fallout would lead to the deaths of ''billions''. This discovery is what prompts Reed's decision to support the act.]] A couple of supplementary stories have people telling Reed point-blank that human nature is the biggest SpannerInTheWorks of any possible psychohistorical theory and he needs to take more heed on that detail, [[spoiler:but not only does Reed not cares about this (even when his wife leaves him because she's fed up with his attitude) because as far as he knows the math checks ok, but a couple of arcs later on provide glimpses of worlds where the SHRA passed (and is still working) without ''any'' issues--and the factor that made such a thing happen was that Reed worked on the SHRA ''all by himself'' (the 616 version conspired alongside Tony Stark and Hank Pym).]]
* Subverted to the point of deconstruction in an issue of Impact Comics' ''Jaguar''. The mute, monstrous-looking and -acting antagonist turns out to be an alien that, in an obvious {{shout out}} to Franchise/{{Superman}}'s origin, was adopted by a friendly Earth couple as a baby, developed superpowers as he matured, was taught to use them for "good"... and one day started to kill people who hadn't actually done anything wrong. The theory his helpless foster parents eventually pieced together is that his species experiences time nonlinearly, seeing past, present, and future all at once, so he kills people for horrible crimes they ''haven't committed yet'' -- thereby of course making it kind of hard to demonstrate what they ''would'' one day have done to deserve death had they gotten the chance...

* ''ComicBook/XMen'' villain ComicBook/{{Mystique}} had a psychic lover for most of Creator/ChrisClaremont's run, who, according to his own {{Retcon}}, drove Mystique's [[NecessarilyEvil apparently evil]] actions until driving her insane by dying.

* In ''Fanfic/{{Origins}}'', a ''Franchise/MassEffect''[=/=]''Franchise/StarWars''[[spoiler:[=/=]''[=Borderlands=]''[=/=]''[=Halo=]'']] MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, the NeglectfulPrecursors seem to think they have one--but they also argue over [[DuelingMessiahs who among themselves has it]].

[[folder:Films — Animation]]
* The eponymous [[WesternAnimation/ThePagemaster Pagemaster]] takes a cowardly child and subjects him to all sorts of deadly situations. To all appearances, there was a real chance that the kid would either die or develop severe mental trauma as a result of this. But instead he learns to be courageous, and the Pagemaster gets off the hook because apparently he's just so darn wise that he knew it would work out like this from the beginning.

[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
* Before the climax of ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', the Avengers have secured an organic android body that Ultron was planning on using for his final form, but was only able to place a portion of his programming in it before it was apprehended. Tony wants to activate the android, saying that it could be a powerful ally and would be the savior Ultron was supposed to be. Steve (who is backed by the defected Maximoff twins) says that the risk of another robot as powerful as Ultron is far too dangerous, and demands it be destroyed. As they have only minutes to either activate the android or destroy it, the argument degrades into a brawl. Suddenly, [[spoiler: [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] crashes in, scatters his teammates and uses his lightning to bring the android to life. Why? Because oracular water spirits told him that the android would be a key factor in defeating Ultron. It is because of this that the android is given the name ComicBook/{{Vision}}. And when Vision's motives are questioned, he unwittingly proves his goodness by lifting Mjolnir -- even though a scene earlier in the film implied that most of the Avengers didn't really consider lifting the hammer proof of anything (but mostly because none of them could lift it themselves, with the exception of Steve, who [[Film/AvengersEndgame could lift it]] but chose not to).]] Can't argue with Asgardians, can you?
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', ComicBook/DoctorStrange uses his Eye of Agamotto [[spoiler:(i.e Time Stone)]] to look into the future and see the ways the future will play out to find out any probability where the heroes can win against Comicbook/{{Thanos}}. Out of 14 million or so possible futures, [[MillionToOneChance he only sees one positive outcome]]. Then, [[spoiler:during his battle (assisted with Iron Man, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy) vs. Thanos in Titan, as Thanos heavily wounds Tony, Strange decides to give his Time Stone to Thanos (who was seeking it) to spare Tony. This would later allow Thanos to complete the [[PowerFist Infinity Gauntlet]] and use it to wipe out half of the lives in the universe, which apparently includes Strange himself. As he's slowly crumbling into dust, he tells the distraught Tony that "this is the only way", suggesting that whatever positive outcome he saw would involve letting Thanos achieve his goal first]]. And it turns out as ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' reveals, [[spoiler:said outcome involves Tony performing a HeroicSacrifice by using the Infinity Gauntlet to turn an alternate version of Thanos and all his forces into dust. At a decisive moment in the climax, Strange shows the one outcome finger to Tony, which means he is fully willing to sacrifice Tony just to bring down the Mad Titan]].
* ''Film/DropDeadFred''. The title character does random, chaotic, highly disruptive, and seemingly pointless things, but said actions unfailingly serve to benefit ''someone'' in the end. One of the best examples was when Fred sinks the protagonist's friend's houseboat. The owner of the houseboat later received a massive insurance payout, far larger than what she expected, and was able to buy a much nicer house as a result.

-->"Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting."

-->-- ''Literature/GoodOmens'' by Creator/NeilGaiman and Creator/TerryPratchett

* In the ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' series, Present Mikuru will accept any indignity, abuse or manipulation that her time-traveling superiors throw at her, because, you know, the future will get messed up if she doesn't. This is averted in the later books, when Kyon calls them on this, explicitly stating that he believes them to be manipulating Mikuru for their own selfish goals, and not for the good of the timeline. This is made even more tied to the timeline (creating a StableTimeLoop) because Present Mikuru's boss is [[spoiler:her future self.]]

* The Inquisitor, the villain of the ''Series/RedDwarf'' episode of the same name, behaved as though he has one. After surviving to the end of time, he concludes that there is no god and no afterlife, and that the only purpose of existence is to live a worthwhile life. To this end, he travels through time, [[RetGone deletes]] those he judges to have wasted their lives and replaces them with another possible version of themselves. An interesting twist, though, [[spoiler:is that he allows his victims to ''judge themselves,'' and the requirements aren't that stringent, especially if you have extremely low personal standards -- meaning, ironically, that it's the moral and decent people (who are humble enough to see their own moral shortcomings) who get punished, while the self-satisfied and morally lazy get off scot free.]]

* ''Series/StargateSG1''

* ''Franchise/StarTrek''
** Q, primarily from ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration.'' He tests the ''Enterprise'' crew in various ways, which at times even appear life-threatening (and, in at least one case, '''is''' life-threatening), but in retrospect it is reasonably obvious that his goal is to assist in the characters' development; albeit in a ZenSurvivor kind of way. Beautifully subverted in the ''Next Generation'' episode "True Q", in which the [[TheOmnipotent nigh-omnipotent]] Q, in one of his rare straight-faced moments, tries to claim this license as the Continuum's right to judge and possibly execute the half-Q, half-human Amanda for being too potentially dangerous to live. When he responds to Picard's questioning that right with the simple, terse words "superior morality", Picard nearly chokes: "superior ''morality''? I haven't seen any evidence of any morality at all!" It also turns up in the series finale, [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS7E24AllGoodThings "All Good Things..."]]:

** Another example occurs in ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space 9]]'' with the revelation that the Prophets [[spoiler:engineered the birth of Benjamin Sisko. To do this, one of them took control of a woman named Sarah and forced her to romance, marry, and have a child with Joseph Sisko; she left as soon as her body was returned to her. Which sounds a lot like rape, but ''that'' implication is never brought up. The heartache it caused Joseph Sisko is, as he thought there was a legitimate romance going on and had no idea why Sarah left so abruptly. The one time Sisko asks prophet-Sarah "why?" her answer amounts to there having been a ''chance'' Sarah would make choices that didn't result in Ben being in born, and since Ben ''must'' exist, this "risk" justified their actions]]
*** In the pilot, it was implied that the prophets only had a loose concept of what they were doing and needed Sisko to explain linear existence to them. Sisko, and even Quark at one point, second guessed and even lectured them when they did something wrong. It wasn't until the introduction of their very linear, multi-season battle with the Pah Wraiths that the show started treating them as gods rather than aliens.

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': The reason Durkon was wandering human lands is because Odin sent a prophecy to his high priest that the next time Durkon returned home, he would bring death and destruction. The other priests decided the best way to avoid this prophecy was to exile Durkon, knowing he was so honor-bound that he would never return unless called, even though this meant he had to abandon his family and ailing mother. Durkon became a key member of the Order of the Stick, which in turn considerably increased the chances of the world being saved, and Durkon even ended up meeting Odin and Thor at just the right time to learn some important information. [[spoiler:Subverted when Thor asks Odin about it. Odin is a bit senile due to a problem with GodsNeedPrayerBadly, and doesn't even remember the prophecy; he says the whole plan "sounds kind of mean." Presumably he gave the prophecy on one of his better days, but Thor decides not to mention this to Durkon anyway, as it will probably crush his spirit]].

* All of the ruling Elites in ''LightNovel/AiNoKusabi'' qualify for keeping slaves and how they treat everyone in castes beneath them. It's their right as the PowersThatBe to do as they please with those below them within their society. Iason Mink really takes the cake, however, as the most powerful Elite with his treatment of his SexSlave Riki.

* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': Subverted with the Valar. [[{{God}} Eru]] gave them almost absolute authority (their authority over Elves and Men, particularly the latter, is a bit of a grey area) over the world, but they lack the "omniscient" part. The Valar can and do make mistakes in pursuit of a greater good, despite (and sometimes ''because'') of their good intentions. The narrative implies that several of their actions which seemed like self-evidently good things (such as bringing the Elves to Aman to protect them from Morgoth, or giving Númenor and extended life to the Edain) were entirely the wrong thing to do, even if they were motivated by the best intentions. Some of their other actions (such as releasing Melkor, or sending the Istari to Middle Earth) also had bad results due to lack of foresight ([[GoodCannotComprehendEvil or an inability to understand how good things can become evil]]). Played straight with Eru himself, who tolerates evil not only because He gave free-will to His creations, but also because of His declaration that in the long run there can be no suffering which will not, in the end, lead to an even greater good than if it had not been at all.

* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': Subverted with the Valar. [[{{God}} Eru]] gave them almost absolute authority (their authority over Elves and Men, particularly the latter, is a bit of a grey area) over the world, but they lack the "omniscient" part. The Valar can and do make mistakes in pursuit of a greater good, despite (and sometimes ''because'') of their good intentions. The narrative implies that several of their actions which seemed like self-evidently good things (such as bringing the Elves to Aman to protect them from Morgoth, or giving Númenor and extended life to the Edain) were entirely the wrong thing to do, even if they were motivated by the best intentions. Some of their other actions (such as releasing Melkor, or sending the Istari to Middle Earth) also had bad results due to lack of foresight ([[GoodCannotComprehendEvil or an inability to understand how good things can become evil]]). Played straight with Eru himself, who tolerates evil not only because He gave free-will to His creations, but also because of His declaration that in the long run there can be no suffering which will not, in the end, be justified or come to a greater good.

* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': Subverted with the Valar. [[{{God}} Eru]] gave them almost absolute authority (their authority over Elves and Men, particularly the latter, is a bit of a grey area) over the world, but they lack the "omniscient" part. The Valar can and do make mistakes in pursuit of a greater good, despite (and sometimes ''because'') of their good intentions. The narrative implies that several of their actions which seemed like self-evidently good things (such as bringing the Elves to Aman to protect them from Morgoth, or giving Númenor and extended life to the Edain) were entirely the wrong thing to do, even if they were motivated by the best intentions. Some of their other actions (such as releasing Melkor, or sending the Istari to Middle Earth) also had bad results due to lack of foresight ([[GoodCannotComprehendEvil or an inability to understand how good things can become evil]]). Played straight with Eru himself, who tolerates evil not only because He gave free-will to His creations, but also because of his declaration that in the long run there can be suffering which will not, in the end, be justified or come to a greater good.