What is the paradox of stone?
The Stone Paradox. This question is known as the Paradox of the Stone, or the Paradox of Omnipotence. It appears that answering either “yes” or “no” will mean that the being in question is not omnipotent after all. For suppose that the being cannot create the stone.
Can God create a stone too heavy?
God is omnipotent, i.e. God can do anything which is logically possible. Making a stone which is so heavy that it cannot be moved is logically possible. Therefore God, being omnipotent, can make a stone so heavy that it cannot be moved.
What does Aquinas say about Gods omnipotence?
Aquinas argued that God is completely omnipotent and in charge of the whole world – “he can do everything that is absolutely possible” – if this is the case then God cannot do anything which is inconsistent with his character because that would imply contradiction. God is perfectly good so therefore, he cannot do evil.
Why is God’s omnipotence important?
The term omnipotence refers to the idea that God is all-powerful. There are many stories in the Bible which reveal the power of God. Even Christians who do not believe this story to be literally true will still accept that it shows God’s power over the world. Some Christians are known as literalists.
Does Aquinas believe God can change the past?
But God is altogether simple (Aquinas had demonstrated that there is no composition in God earlier in the Summa Theologiae). Therefore, God does not undergo any change. Any thing that changes does so by undergoing change in its properties.
Which is true about the paradox of the stone?
Paradox of the Stone 1 Either God can create a stone so heavy that he cannot lift, or he can’t 2 If God can create such a stone, then he is not omnipotent 3 If God can’t create such a stone, then he is not omnipotent More
How is the stone paradox effective against Act theories?
The Stone Paradox is most effective against act theories. Making a stone one cannot lift is a possible action, so, in order to count as omnipotent according to (1), a being must be able to perform it. However, if any being performs this task then there is a possible task which that being cannot perform immediately afterward, namely]
Why is the stone paradox of omnipotence important?
Nevertheless, the Stone Paradox is of interest because necessary omnitemporal omnipotence has traditionally been attributed to God. The Stone Paradox has been the main focus of those attempting to specify exactly what an omnipotent being could, and could not, do.
Which is an example of a logical paradox?
The Stone Paradox provides an example of two tasks (creating a stone its creator cannot lift and lifting the stone one has just created) such that each task is logically possible, but it is logically impossible for one task to be performed immediately after the other.
