a stone which he cannot lift?
2007-11-23 00:50:17 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
1) Only if the idea fits the case, which is not obvious. Any concept of "lifting" requires a finite space to define the movement. A God may not experience space in this way (or at all), and therefore the concept would not apply.
2) It becomes much more difficult to deal with this kind of reasoning when we play the "omnis" against one another. For instance, omnipotence against omniscience: Can God create a being that knows more than he does?
2007-11-23 04:15:28 · answer #1 · answered by neil s 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One might ask, "Can G-d create a zxvlw?" The question cannot be answered, because the word "zxvlw" is meaningless.
Now, suppose we ask, "Can G-d create a five-sided square?" Again, there is no answer because the question makes no sense. By definition, a square has four sides.
Similarly, if we start with the assumption that G-d can lift everything, then the term "a stone which G-d cannot lift" is as meaningless as "five-sided square."
It has to do with a limitation of our language, not a limitation of G-d.
Incidentally, I took only one philosophy course, and that was forty-odd years ago. So if there are any true philosophers out there, feel free to jump in and correct me.
2007-11-23 08:52:44 · answer #2 · answered by yutsnark 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even as I am not sure of the existence of God as is conceived by us, I do have an appropriate answer to your question which logically fits with the concept of omnipotence.
God should be able to build such a stone the instant He wills, but the instant He wills to lift it, He would be able to lift it too....... omnipotence is not about insurmountable physical power... it is the power of fulfilling without fail each and every will instantaneously as it ever arises.
2007-11-23 01:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by small 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i was having this exact same conversation, with a religious nut-case at school, he just could not get around the idea that god couldn't lift a stone.
Anyway, i agree with "T Leeves" and others of a similar nature.
2007-11-23 04:16:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very old chestnut. Try some original thought instead. I'm sure God has better things to do with his time than lift stones anyway.
2007-11-23 00:53:55 · answer #5 · answered by Cathy T 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God does not take pronouns, but if she were to make a stone that heavy, she could always get a bunch of guys to lift it up.
2007-11-23 00:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No. Because he is almighty, he will always able to lift even the heaviest of heavy stones that he creates.
2007-11-23 00:54:11 · answer #7 · answered by lilhappyflower 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
God has enough on his plate just getting people to recognize that heaven is the place they want to go to and not go to hell. That is a very weighty stone!
BTW Jesus is the reason for the season!
2007-11-23 00:59:33 · answer #8 · answered by Free Thinker 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
he did...
you can get stoned but not physically lifted
2007-11-23 00:54:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Thou shalt not tempt thy Lord thy God.
2007-11-23 01:04:35 · answer #10 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋