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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 God is not necessitated to actualize every good that God has the power to bring about.

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

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.God's perfect goodness entails that God necessarily wills the best possible state of affairs if one exists (Leibniz, Theodicy §8).
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A being that could actualize a greater good but freely refrains lacks the perfection constitutive of divinity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, divine freedom from necessity is incompatible with the classical doctrine of divine perfection.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.God's nature is identical to God's existence (actus purus), meaning no unrealized potentiality exists in God (Aquinas, ST Ia q.3).
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If God has the power to bring about a good yet refrains, this implies an unrealized potentiality in God, contradicting divine simplicity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The claim therefore presupposes a composition of power and act in God that classical theism explicitly denies.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.In his omnipotence, God can do anything that is good.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Divine freedom means God need not do everything that is good.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.God need not do anything at all.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

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