Concepts of God

Question 1

Outline the paradox of the stone (5m)

Answer 1

The paradox is intended to show that an omnipotent being is impossible/the concept is incoherent. The implication that God (as classically conceived) does not exist may or may not be drawn.
*the paradox poses the question: ‘Can God, as an omnipotent
being, create a stone so heavy that God cannot move it?’
P1: Either God can create a stone too heavy for God to move/lift or God cannot do this
P2: If God can do this, then God is not omnipotent (since God would then be unable to
move/lift the stone)
P3: If God cannot do this, then God is not omnipotent (since God cannot create such a stone)
[P4: There is nothing logically impossible about either of these tasks]
C: Therefore, God is not omnipotent (either way).