Brain Teasers
Omnipotent or Not?
Can an omnipotent god create a stone that he couldn't lift?
Answer
Neither yes nor no are correct answers. If he CAN create the stone, then there's something he can't do - lift it. If he CAN'T create the stone, then again there's something he can't do. Either way, if there's something he can't do he's not omnipotent.Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
Boy, are you opening a theological can of worms with this one. Atheists will jump at the chance to say that this logic proves the non-existence of an omnipotent God. Relegious mathematicians, however, will say that this is like trying to compare two infinitly large numbers.
Jul 08, 2002
1. the guy above me said the thing twice.
2. this is just like the immovible object vs. unstoppable force teaser
but i still like it
2. this is just like the immovible object vs. unstoppable force teaser
but i still like it
The religious teacher, does it only annoy you so much because you cannot solve the problem because it is too philosophical?
of course, an omnipotent being could avoid the question alltogether
Actually, the only thing an omnipotent God cannot create is a contradiction. Hence He cannot create an unmovable stone; which does not limit His omnipotence, but reinforces it.
No answer, because in this dimension, we have limited information...
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this random scribble could actually have maening to someone in another country, program or even realm for that matter...
That's like saying "Can we nuke the mechanical non-airtight whales in the frozen shell in mars, or can the mechanical non-airtight whales in the frozen shell in mars nuke us?"
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this random scribble could actually have maening to someone in another country, program or even realm for that matter...
That's like saying "Can we nuke the mechanical non-airtight whales in the frozen shell in mars, or can the mechanical non-airtight whales in the frozen shell in mars nuke us?"
Hey UmkD, go back to the nut house you came from, they said they needed a laugh and your face is perfect for that.
Even though it is a paradox, I'd say No.
He can't do a stone he can't lift. It simply means he cannot create something which is "more powerful" than him. By creating something which he couldn't live, God would "create" his own failure at something..So I guess God can't be the cause of it's own failure, and cannot create as "negative" as a stone he can't lift.. See my point?
He can't do a stone he can't lift. It simply means he cannot create something which is "more powerful" than him. By creating something which he couldn't live, God would "create" his own failure at something..So I guess God can't be the cause of it's own failure, and cannot create as "negative" as a stone he can't lift.. See my point?
I don't get the answer.
Actually, I think He could. See, if you say no, that's like saying that He's just not omnipotent. However, you can answer yes without challenging His omnipotence; He could create a stone large enough that He could not move it, but it would require Him to take away His on omnipotence for a short time. Does that make sense?
I agree with bmotts.
The key here is the term "omnipotent." The definition of the word does not account for recursion against itself.
The limitation here is not with powers of this god, but rather with our rudimentary understanding of language.
The key here is the term "omnipotent." The definition of the word does not account for recursion against itself.
The limitation here is not with powers of this god, but rather with our rudimentary understanding of language.
the question is merely a play on words and meanings. The question precludes an answer: can he make something he can't unmake? Can he (insert verb here)(insert a noun) he can't (insert negative conjunction)(insert original verb). ex. can he TUNE A BANJO he can't UN-TUNE? if you think about it, that's what it is, a play on words.
I agree with the answers referring to the inability of our language to deal with these absolutes. It has noting to do with God, omnipotence or anything else. Could a universe exist in which everything in it was white and at the same time everything in it was black? There is little point in now introducing the words "God" or "omnipotent being" into the description and saying that it cannot be created. It cannot by definition have any conceptual existence. The words do not describe anything that can even be imagined, let alone exist.
ah, a more boring play on "Could God microwave a burrito so hot he couldn't eat it?"
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