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    Carmelics

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Damian distinguishes between God's absolute power (potentia absoluta) and ordained power, restricting omnipotence claims to the former.

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.The distinction creates a problematic two-tier concept of power, suggesting God's real omnipotence is only exercised arbitrarily outside creation.
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    • 2.If God genuinely restricts His own power through ordained order, He is not truly omnipotent in the classical sense—omnipotence should admit no real limitations.
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    • 3.The distinction lacks coherent definition: 'absolute power' becomes meaningless if exercised nowhere, or contradictory if applied to logically impossible acts.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Distinguishing absolute from ordained power resolves the logical problem of whether God can do logically contradictory things like create square circles.
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    • 2.Medieval theologians needed this distinction to reconcile God's omnipotence with His self-imposed constraints through creation and natural laws.
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    • 3.Restricting omnipotence claims to absolute power preserves God's transcendence while allowing meaningful human freedom and stable moral order.
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