Divine AttributesOmniscienceOmnipotenceOmnibenevolenceEternalEverlastingImmanentTransscendentImmutableMetaphysical FreewillPredestinationDeterminismParadox of the StoneEuthyphro DilemmaCreator GodInterventionist GodAbrahamic faiths

Proofs of the existence of GodOntological ArgumentAnselmGauniloDescartesKantSubject & predicateDesign ArgumentPaleyTeleologicalSwinburneTemporal regularitiesCosmological ArgumentAquinas1st way : motion2nd way : causation3rd way : contingencyThe problem of evilTheodiciesAugustineSoul-makingIrenaeus

MiscellaneousTemporal SpatialCorroborating evidenceConflicting evidenceTautologicalPolitical FreedomNecessarily trueContingently trueReduction ad absurdumArgument by analogyRelevanceAdequacyAd hominem argumentsThe MultiversePrime MoverFallacy of CompositionInfinite regressexistentialism

OmnipotentDefinitionAll-powerful

IllustrationGod’s omnipotence is a classic example of his perfection

Contrasts/alternativesOmniscience (all-knowing).

Subdivisions/special casesCreator God : being able to create the universe from nothing is a special case of God’s omnipotence. The _________________________ (Mavrodes) shows that not all things are logically possible. Can God do things which are self-contradictory?

OmniscienceDefinition

Illustration

Contrasts/alternatives

Subdivisions/special casesA limitation of omniscience : can God know about human’s actions in the future if they have ____________?

OmnibenevolenceDefinition

IllustrationAn omnibenevolent God would ensure that we lived in the best of all possible worlds (Spinoza)

Contrasts/alternatives

Subdivisions/special casesThe Euthyphro Dilemma challenges the view that God can both define what it is to be good, and be omnibenevolent. The question it poses is …

EternalDefinitionExisting beyond time : existing in a ‘space’ unaffected by time.

IllustrationIf God is eternal, then he is unaffected by the passing of time, and hence __________________ (unchanging)

Contrasts/alternativesEverlasting : continuing until the end of time. But it is possible that God will exist after time stops (and existed before it began).

Subdivisions/special casesIf God is eternal, it is difficult to explain how he interacts with beings that are subject to time. Does he know what time it is NOW?

ImmanentDefinition

Illustration

Contrasts/alternativesTranscendent : God is beyond human understanding – and therefore beyond the attribution of qualities?

Subdivisions/special cases

Metaphysical freedomDefinitionHumans’ ability to give meaning to things – enabling them to always choose between options, even if the options are limited

IllustrationA person in prison choosing torture over a confession which would endanger their family (Sartre example)

Contrasts/alternativesDeterminism - everything is determinedPolitical freedom – not being interfered with by the State

Subdivisions/special cases_________________________ – you are condemned to be freeUsed in theodicies as a ‘second order’ good

DeterminismDefinitionThe belief that all events are determined by their causes – as by the cogs of a giant machine.

IllustrationLaplace offered a thought-experiment in which he argued that a demon could know the future movements of all particles if he knew the positions of them now, and the laws of nature.

Contrasts/alternativesThose who believe in metaphysical freewill – like existentialists – disagree that everything is determined – claiming that determinism would eradicate human ____________________ for their actions.

Subdivisions/special casesPhysical determinists claim that the laws of physics are complete (affect everything) and everything else can be reduced to physics.

Paradox of the StonePremiseIf God is omnipresent then he is able to create a stone that is too heavy to lift

Premise

Premise

Conclusion

Euthyphro DilemmaPremise

PremiseIf goodness is defined as ‘what God wills’ then …

PremiseIf goodness is defined independently of what God wills then we must explain what determines what is good.

Conclusion

Creator godDefinition

Illustration

Contrasts/alternativesInterventionist God – one who affects the everyday running of the universe – with miracles for instance.

Subdivisions/special cases

Abrahamic faithsDefinitionThe collection of religions that include the story of Abraham in their history of their relationship with God.

IllustrationAbraham is significant because…

Contrasts/alternatives

Subdivisions/special cases

Anselm’s Ontological argPremise

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ConclusionGod exists

Gaunilo’s response to AnselmPremiseLet ‘Jamaica’ be the name of the perfect island.

PremiseThe perfect island must have all perfect qualities – including sunshine, bountiful food, friendly people.

PremiseExistence is a good quality

Conclusion

Premise

Descartes’ Ontological argPremise

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Conclusion

Kant’s response to Ontological argsPremise

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Conclusion

Paley’s Design ArgPremiseIf we find a _____________________, we INFER it has a designer.

PremiseThis is because of the complex and sensitive interplay of its parts, and its unity in fulfilling its purpose

PremiseThe universe is like the watch in all these significant ways

ConclusionBy analogy, the universe must have a designerThat designer is God

Aquinas’ 1st way ArgPremise

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Conclusion

Aquinas’ 2nd way ArgPremise

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Conclusion

Aquinas’ 3rd way ArgPremise

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Conclusion

Augustine’s theodicyPremise

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Conclusion

Irenaeus’s theodicyPremise

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Conclusion