Religion
In reply to the discussion: Science has proved the existence of God [View all]Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)On Gödel's theoretical assumptions, we can show that any set which conforms to (1)(6) is such that the property of having as essential properties just those properties which are in that set is exemplified. Gödel wants us to conclude that there is just one intuitive, theologically interesting set of properties which is such that the property of having as essential properties just the properties in that set is exemplified. But, on the one hand, what reason do we have to think that there is any theologically interesting set of properties which conforms to the Gödelian specification? And, on the other hand, what reason do we have to deny that, if there is one set of theologically interesting set of properties which conforms to the Gödelian specification, then there are many theologically threatening sets of properties which also conform to that specification?
In particular, there is some reason to think that the Gödelian ontological argument goes through just as wellor just as badlywith respect to other sets of properties (and in ways which are damaging to the original argument). Suppose that there is some set of independent properties {I, G1, G2,
} which can be used to generate the set of positive properties by closure under entailment and necessitation. (Independence means: no one of the properties in the set is entailed by all the rest. Necessitation means: if P is in the set, then so is necessarily having P. I is the property of having as essential properties just those properties which are in the set. G1, G2,
are further properties, of which we require at least two.) Consider any proper subset of the set {G1, G2,
}{H1, H2,
}, sayand define a new generating set {I*, H1, H2,
}, where I* is the property of having as essential properties just those properties which are in the newly generated set. A proof parallel to that offered by Gödel establishes that there is a being which has as essential properties just those properties in this new set. If there are as few as 7 independent properties in the original generating set, then we shall be able to establish the existence of 720 distinctGod-like creatures by the kind of argument which Gödel offers. (The creatures are distinct because each has a different set of essential properties.)
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ontological-arguments/#GodOntArg
But you aren't or you would admit that philosophy and science are not identical and that whatever the merits of godels argument it does not provide a scientificly valid testable theory establishing the existence of 'god'.