Quote:
Originally posted by rsl12
you're all onto something here: what kind of powers should be associated with being omnipotent? if you can create atoms just by thinking about them, you're violating a big fat law of physics, and aren't the laws of physics the logical laws of the universe? how is that any different from violating the logic of a syllogism? who says that a syllogism has to be valid outside this universe?
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I think there is a difference between the laws of physics and the laws of logic. The laws of physics, as we know them, are based on the rules of logic. That being said, our definition of logic is highly specialized for human existence and therefore may not be the best judge of what is logical for other beings.
The laws of physics are interpreted for humanity by science and as such are only accurate interpretations
as far as we can tell.
That is to say that the physics at one point claimed that atoms took a form similar to plum pudding. If god, at that time, decided to act based on the nuclear model it wouldn't negate the laws of physics, it would just mean that our interpretations of the laws of physics weren't entirely accurate. Indeed, by definition it is not possible to violate the laws of physics, it is only possible to disprove theories describing laws of physics.
It is easy to write off a violation of physical law as not a true violation, but a reflection of our innaccurate interpretations of said laws.
It is also very possible, indeed likely that our conception of what it means to be logical isn't entirely accurate either in comparison to the logic of a deity. Certainly humans may be the most rational beings we know, but we are far from "rational". We're far from vulcans.
So i'm changing my position. I think that it might be possible for god to create a boulder so heavy that god could not lift it. I think the actual answer, at least at this point, is unknowable.