2006-06-23 06:43:48 · 10 answers · asked by its4subin 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
My thought is that an omnipotent being would have the power (since he/she is omnipotent) to end his/her omnipotence. Thus, he/she can make such a rock but it would be his/her last act as an omnipotent being.
2006-06-23 09:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by NotEasilyFooled 5 · 11⤊ 6⤋
A very smart question.
If the being can build such a rock, then he is not omnipotent as he can not lift the rock.
If the being cannot build a rock with the required property, then he is not omnipotent
So only a non omnipotent being may build a rock so heavy that he himself cannot lift it.
Depending on his lifting ability the rock may be very small !!!
2006-06-23 13:58:34 · answer #2 · answered by topbakamuna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a very, VERY old question usually posed by atheists to "believers". The answer is problematic, until you realize the parameters make the difference, and infinite realities are possible and accessible to an omnipotent being.
An omnipotent being makes the rules... all the rules. If such a being chose to devise a set of rules for a certain reality where he could not pick up a particular rock then, for some reason, decided to function within those rules... *for that reality, and that reality only*... temporarily, in that reality and nowhere else, he would not be able to pick up that rock... but only in that reality, and only because he decided that's how it was going to be in that reality.
In other words, an omnipotent being could set up a limiting set of parameters in a certain reality (different from other realities) in which he chose to include a rock he could not lift. This would be the case only in that limited scenario within that particular reality, however... and only because the omnipotent being decided that's how things would be in that limited reality.
2006-06-23 14:34:16 · answer #3 · answered by eclectrified 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Omnipotent is all powerful, omniessient is all knowing so this is a bit of a trick question becuase an omnipotent being could do anything he wanted meaning he could make a rock he couldnt lift if he wanted to but then again he can lift anything he wants as well so either way its a yes and no question. It cant be answered.
2006-06-23 13:49:05 · answer #4 · answered by Robert Green 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would that omnipotent being need a huge rock in the first place?
Ok I’ll play along, but still
If it is omnipotent being (OB) then it is used frequently used to mean almighty and almighty meaning what it can do anything.
So the answer to you question – You bet!
Mathematically:
Omnipotent being – infinite authority (that is powerful enough to change the laws of physics)
Weight of a rock – must be finite
And we all know that infinite> finite
Actually you question is deeper than this superficial discussion. We have a situation analogous to an irresistible force meets an immovable object. There is a difference however the OB transcends matter. The amount of matter in the Universe is finite. So our OB is limited in building an infinite in size rock since the amount of row material in the universe is finite and since the rock is finite OB can definitely lift that rock. But wait, did I say 'limited' this creates limitation on OB to be omnipotent being. Oops. Got to go
2006-06-23 13:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by Edward 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, that's a good question!
'Omnipotent' means 'Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful', according to dictionary.com. Therefore, an omnipotent person would have an infinite amount of power, so he or she could lift anything they wanted, no matter how heavy it is. They could build a rock as heavy as they wanted, maybe to an infinite heaviness, and no matter what, because they have infinte power, they can lift it.
Technically, nothing is really 'heavy' to an omnipotent person. Everything and anything could be lifted by them, since they have infinite power to use.
Hope this helps!
2006-06-23 13:50:19 · answer #6 · answered by Cap'n Eridani 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Here's the trick. The omnipotent being simply builds a rock the size of the universe that he presently occupies. So, he COULD lift it, but he has nowhere to lift it TO. HIs lifting ability isn't constrained, just his location.
2006-06-23 14:09:08 · answer #7 · answered by wherearethetacos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You got him! You are smart. Move over, O Omnipotent being, we got a smarter on on yahoo answers here!
2006-06-23 13:49:25 · answer #8 · answered by dude 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all knowing doesn't necessarily mean strong.
2006-06-23 13:46:20 · answer #9 · answered by NoPoaching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but SHE could.
2006-06-23 14:41:51 · answer #10 · answered by C.W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋