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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that All agents other than God are only metaphorically agents

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Aristotle's unmoved mover acts without being acted upon, yet Aquinas and others distinguish this from excluding all genuine secondary causation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Aquinas's doctrine of instrumental causation holds that secondary causes genuinely produce effects proper to their nature, not merely metaphorically.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If metaphorical agency suffices for moral responsibility, then al-Kindi's framework cannot ground punishment or praise, undermining its own theological utility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Al-Ghazali's occasionalism similarly denies genuine creaturely causation, yet critics like Ibn Rushd argued this collapses the intelligibility of natural science.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If 'being acted upon' disqualifies genuine agency, then God's reception of prayers and worship would paradoxically compromise divine agency under al-Kindi's own criterion.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.All agents other than God both act and are acted upon
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A true agent acts without being acted upon
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.