Nature Of God Flashcards
What is voluntarism in the context of philosophy of religion?
Voluntarism is the view that God’s omnipotence includes the power to do even the logically impossible.
Who is the most notable proponent of voluntarism?
René Descartes
What example does Descartes use to illustrate voluntarism?
God creating a square circle.
Why does Descartes believe logic and math depend on God?
Because God’s immensity means that nothing exists independently of Him, including logic and mathematics.
How does Descartes view human logic in comparison to divine logic?
Logic is a human limitation, not a limitation for God.
What is a main criticism of voluntarism?
It seems to make logical necessity meaningless, e.g., 1+1 could equal 3
Why is voluntarism considered self-defeating by critics?
If God can do the logically impossible, then nothing is logically impossible, undermining the concept of logical impossibility itself.
What is one defence of voluntarism’s coherence?
That God could do the logically impossible without that making it logically possible for us.
How does Aquinas define omnipotence?
As the ability to do anything that is logically possible
What is Aquinas’ reasoning for why God cannot do the logically impossible?
Logically impossible things are not real possibilities and thus cannot be done.
How does Aquinas explain the impossibility of contradictions like “being and non-being”?
They lack the nature of a feasible thing and are inconsistent with the perfection of being.
What does Aquinas say instead of “God cannot do the impossible”?
“Such things cannot be done.”
What is the paradox of the stone?
Can God create a stone so heavy that He cannot lift it?
How does the paradox of the stone challenge Aquinas’ definition of omnipotence?
It appears to present a scenario where God cannot do one of two things.
How would Descartes respond to the paradox of the stone?
God can create such a stone and still lift it, as logical impossibilities pose no problem for Him.
How does Mavrodes defend Aquinas against the paradox of the stone?
He argues the concept of a stone too heavy for an omnipotent being is logically incoherent.
Why does Mavrodes say the stone in the paradox can’t exist?
Because it contradicts the definition of omnipotence.
What is the idea of self-imposed limitation regarding God’s power?
That God chooses to limit His power but still retains the ability to do anything.
Why might God choose to limit Himself logically in the universe
To maintain logical consistency and order in the universe.
What would happen if God did logically impossible things in the universe?
It would cause chaos and likely make the universe uninhabitable.
How does God’s desire for humans to have free will relate to self-limitation?
God does not interfere with our actions to preserve the significance of our free will.
Why is free will important in Christian theology?
It is seen as necessary for salvation and choosing good over evil.
What is the objection to the idea of God limiting Himself?
Genuine limitation implies a loss of ability, which contradicts omnipotence.
How can self-limitation be consistent with omnipotence?
If God merely chooses not to do certain things, He is not truly limited.
What is the key difference between Descartes’ and Aquinas’ views on omnipotence?
Descartes believes God can do the logically impossible; Aquinas believes omnipotence only includes the logically possible.
What philosophical puzzle did Boethius try to solve?
The conflict between divine foreknowledge and human free will.
Why is divine foreknowledge a problem for free will?
If God knows what we will do, it seems our actions are predetermined.
Why is free will important for Boethius?
Without it, God cannot fairly reward or punish us.
How does divine foreknowledge challenge God’s omnibenevolence?
It suggests God unjustly judges actions we had no choice in.
How does Boethius resolve the problem?
He argues God is eternal and sees all time in an ‘eternal present’.
How does God’s eternity preserve free will according to Boethius?
God sees but does not determine our future free choices.
What is conditional necessity according to Boethius?
Necessity that follows from a chosen action (e.g. walking after choosing to walk).
What is simple necessity?
Something that must occur regardless of choice.
Why is God’s knowledge not “foreknowledge”?
Because God exists outside of time, so knowledge isn’t prior to action.
What criticism still threatens Boethius’ view?
If God knows our future actions, we cannot do otherwise.
What definition of God does Anselm use to support his view?
God is “that than which none greater can be conceived.”
What limits humans but not God, according to Anselm
Being confined to a single place and moment in time.
What does Anselm mean by “all times and places are in God”?
God contains all of time and space within his being.
What is four-dimensionalism?
The idea that time is like a fourth dimension that objects extend through.
How does four-dimensionalism help explain divine omniscience?
God exists with all times simultaneously, so he knows all events.
Why does Anselm suggest that God “learns” future actions?
Because free choices must be observed, not predicted.
Why is the idea of God learning controversial?
It seems to contradict omniscience, implying God once didn’t know.
How can Anselm’s view still defend God’s omniscience?
In eternity, God always learns of actions that always exist there.
What’s the difference between temporal and eternal simultaneity?
Temporal: within time; Eternal: all events are equally present to God.
What does Anthony Kenny call Boethius’ view of eternity?
Radically incoherent.
What problem does Kenny raise about simultaneous perception
It ignores causal sequences—e.g., Rome’s fire happened before Kenny’s paper.
How does Anselm’s four-dimensionalism answer Kenny?
It distinguishes between events being temporally and eternally simultaneous.
How does Swinburne view God’s relation to time?
God exists within time and experiences it moment by moment.
What does Swinburne say about God’s knowledge of the future?
God knows possible choices, but not which will be made.
How does this preserve free will?
God can’t determine or know what choice will be made, so we are free.
What does Swinburne say about prayer and God’s nature?
An eternal God couldn’t respond to prayer, so must be in time.
What is Aquinas’ response to Swinburne’s argument on prayer?
Prayers affect us psychologically and fit into God’s preordained providence.
What is Swinburne’s critique of an eternal God’s emotional connection?
An unchanging God can’t have a loving relationship with humans.
What biblical example supports Swinburne’s view?
God sending plagues to Egypt in response to Pharaoh’s actions.
What is Wolterstorff’s argument about God’s knowledge of the future?
The future doesn’t exist yet, so can’t be known—even by God.
What is Augustine’s response to the logical problem of evil?
God allows evil because we deserve it due to original sin.
What is one criticism of Augustine’s theodicy?
It’s unfair to blame all of humanity for Adam and Eve’s actions.
What is voluntarism in relation to God’s omnipotence?
The idea that God can do the logically impossible.
How does voluntarism undermine traditional theodicies?
If God can do the logically impossible, he could eliminate evil without harming free will or justice.
