I wanna see the resolution to this age-old paradox.
2007-04-02 06:30:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Argh. I meant "too heavy".
2007-04-02 06:46:01 · update #1
Yes, it can create such a stone.
And at the the same the deity CAN lift the stone.
Sure it would create a logical paradox, but an all-powerful Deity is capable of EVERYTHING even of creation of logical paradoxes.
Think about it, and all powerful deity, if truly all powerful, should be able to easily modify the world so that laws of logic no longer apply.
2007-04-02 06:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by hq3 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's only a paradox if you assume that such a deity must exist. Otherwise, there's no paradox: the simple conclusion is that there can't be an all-powerful force given (at least) this one task that it cannot do.
Now, if you do believe God exists, then this is a difficult dilemma to solve...and the cop-out answer is that religion doesn't have to follow logic (to the extent that no one can give a plausible explanation of why religion should be exempt from logic, even granting that logic might not be the end-all-be-all litmus test for everything).
If a god exists, I'd be comfortable with the conception of that god being limited in power, knowledge, benevolence, etc....it could still be far more advanced than we puny humans and therefore deserving of "god" status. Previous gods throughout the ages had flaws/vices...
2007-04-02 14:52:37 · answer #2 · answered by no_good_names_left_17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, He can't. God can not pin himself against himself. While this does limit him, it does not make him any less all-powerful. There are many things which God can not do, yet nonetheless, he is still that "being that than which no greater can be thought". God is incapable of doing evil for is he all love. Nor is he capable of ceasing to be, because he is an eternal necessary being.
As for Sophist, why do the laws of logic not apply to God? God is accessible through reason, is he not? If this were the case is Scholasticism a complete sham?
Once you get past the belief that all-powerful, means "do whatever you want", then you will understand that there truly is no paradox at all.
-Kerplunk!
2007-04-02 16:49:14 · answer #3 · answered by Kerplunk! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or, what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
In physics there are no unstoppable forces and no immovable objects.
Similarly in logic no two such things can exist, since they exclude each other's possiblilty by definition.
In theology, the all-powerful does not appear in physical form, so the question doesn't arise (God is a spirit). The nearest thing to your scenario in Christian lore was met with the put-down: don't tempt the almighty.
2007-04-02 14:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by Recumbentman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because then the all powerful deity could simply create a machine to work out on to get physically stronger and eventually be able to lift it. TRY AGAIN! Ha Ha. One
2007-04-02 13:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by Battle Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, if he's all powerful, he can do what ever he wants. Remember, the Disney film Aladdin, Jaffar wished to be the most powerful genie in the world? Phenominal cosmic powers, itty bitty living space.
2007-04-02 14:19:02 · answer #6 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's unresolvable. I would think it'd be better to say no, as it's better to have a god limited by the laws of logic than a god limited in mere physical strength.
2007-04-02 13:56:42 · answer #7 · answered by mcd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things are wrong with the question.
You used logic in reference to religion which is not fair since it is illogical to begin with.
You use the logical device of a universe of discourse which is fallacious in the beginning.
2007-04-02 13:40:42 · answer #8 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One cannot establish power by attempting to limit it.
2007-04-02 13:47:13 · answer #9 · answered by Immortal Cordova 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋