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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 Epicurus established that divine beings, by definition perfectly self-sufficient, have no motivation to arrange the world for others' benefit.

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Self-sufficiency need not exclude voluntary action; humans are self-sufficient yet freely choose to benefit others.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Acting beneficently doesn't require dependence on others; a being can act from internal character rather than external need.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The argument equivocates between 'no motivation' and 'no capacity'; self-sufficient beings might have reasons independent of need.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Self-sufficiency logically entails lack of need; beings without needs have no rational incentive to act for others' benefit.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If divine beings acted beneficently, they would depend on external goals or beings' welfare, contradicting their self-sufficiency.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Observable world suffering is consistent with indifferent divine beings but inconsistent with benevolent omnipotent ones.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.