The Omnipotence Paradox

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Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by jimwalton » Mon Nov 07, 2022 12:05 am

I love this comment:

You can't ask the being to defeat his own omnipotence then claim it's not omnipotent when it can't.


I also like this:

When someone asks a question like 'Can God make a stone so heavy even he can't lift it?'
We should say 'Yes he can make a stone like that AND he can lift it.'
They would, of course, respond 'Hey that's logically absurd!'
and we can then say 'so is your question. so what's the problem?'

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Scape211 » Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:47 am

Also, this kind of topic was covered hundreds of years ago by Thomas Aquinas:

"Whatever implies contradiction does not come within the scope of divine omnipotence, because it cannot have the aspect of possibility."


To say that an omnipotent being can't do something logically impossible does not limit that being in any way. You can't ask the being to defeat his own omnipotence then claim it's not omnipotent when it can't. There is nothing rationally coherent about it.

When someone asks a question like 'Can God make a stone so heavy even he can't lift it?'
We should say 'Yes he can make a stone like that AND he can lift it.'
They would, of course, respond 'Hey that's logically absurd!'
and we can then say 'so is your question. so what's the problem?'

If we define omnipotence as logically absurd, we should expect the answer to be as such.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Noffy » Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:06 pm

I think he's just blowing smoke, or as another puts it, he's just following the "debate" script where one is obligated to disagree no matter what.

I'm just popping in to recognize the effort you've put into your replies in this thread. You've definitely gone above and beyond and it is appreciated.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by jimwalton » Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:02 pm

It's no problem answering your question. I'm quite entertained, however, that you have no case of your own.

The answer to your question is that they exist in the universe God made because of science and logic. Where there is light there is shadow. Where there is truth there is also falseness. Where there is matter there is anti-matter. Where there is reason there is also absurdity. For every thesis there is an antithesis. This is no argument against God.

There are a few questions of mine you haven't answered:

1. Please define "square circle" for me and give and example.

2. You must give me the compelling counter-argument that omnipotence should include the irrational in order to be rational.

If you can't answer those questions, I'm left to conclude you're just blowing smoke.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Parasailed » Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:01 pm

Didn’t answer my question, did you?

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by jimwalton » Tue Jan 11, 2022 4:58 pm

You're really reaching now. if you don't have a case, you don't have a case.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Parasailed » Tue Jan 11, 2022 4:57 pm

And why does absurdity, nonsense, non potentiality, all those things, why do they exist in the universe that God made?

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Scape211 » Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:28 am

Parasailed wrote:Why can't God make square circles?


why cant tomorrow still be tomorrow when we get there? because it will be today. it makes no logical sense.

Simply put with this entire discussion: You cant expect something to be illogical then try to use logic to disprove it when it isn't logical. You have no grounds for your argument. I would say it's not even self-defeating. It just doesn't get to start.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by jimwalton » Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:34 pm

Because they're absurd. It's nonsense, not potentiality. It's self-contradictory illogic, and has nothing to do with power, potentiality, or reason.

Tell me, what is a square circle? Let's at least start with a definition and an example.

Re: The Omnipotence Paradox

Post by Parasailed » Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:33 pm

Why can't God make square circles?

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