Actually, it is both. The logical law of non-contradiction as stated by Aristotle: "It is impossible for the same thing to belong and not to belong at the same time to the same thing and in the same respect.” In symbolic logic, ~(p & ~p), or (S is P) and (S is not P) where they are mutually exhaustive and mutually inconsistent. The statement “God (S) is omnipotent (P) and God (S) is not omnipotent (P)” involves a logical contradiction. It is not logically possible.
TDG:
You are correct: it is an
apparent ontological impossibility reduced to a logical proposition
a priori. And, you must certainly see that that which is ontologically contradictory holds the weight and power over the merely logical. In fact, it would appear that Aristotle recognized the law of non-contradiction from an ontological ground: because the law of non-contradiction is indemonstrable.
As you observed, it is also not possible for such a state of affairs to ontologically exist. Why? Because the laws of logic apply to reality. In fact, there is no possible world in which God can be both omnipotent and not omnipotent at the same time and in the same sense.
TDG, you are still going back and forth by conflating
ontological with
logical; can you see that? The dilemma you presented is an ontological scenario that just happens to fit the bill for a logical principle. If you had said “ontological,” in the first place, there would not have been any confusion. There are things that are not ontologically possible but are not logically impossible. Such as,
(1) Whatever astronomical theory is mathematically certain is the true theory of heavenly movements.
(2) The geocentric theory is mathematically certain.
(3) Therefore, the geocentric theory is the true theory of heavenly movements.
Here we have an example of the ontology of the heavenly movements around the earth. The first and second premises are correct and true. Yet, today, we know the conclusion to be false. If we would but change one word in the first and second terms, a new conclusion would appear that would be logically correct, i.e., it would correspond with ontological truth. We know that the Ptolemaic theory was very complicated and the Copernican theory was much simpler. Simply replace the word “certain,” in terms 1 and 2, with the word “simple,” and Voilà!
God can be both Omnipotent and non-omnipotent
logically. In the
logical proposition the two additional parameters: “at the same time” and “in the same respect,” do not have to be in the proposition at all (as you no doubt know). For example, the Creation of being requires omnipotent productive energy, but, God’s Loving contemplation of the Son and the Holy Spirit, do not require it. In one scenario, God exercises His Omnipotence (as omnipotent “productive” energy); in the other, He does not. Both Omnipotence and non-omnipotence exist
simultaneously in one God. It’s harder to
see Omnipotence simultaneously with non-omnipotence from an ontological viewpoint. We sense the effects of His creative activity, but, we do not sense anything of His contemplation of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Logic is more than just some arbitrary tool that God created that may be changed.
Then
you limit God.
It reflects the mind of God.
A bold statement from such a tiny perch.
If the premises of a valid syllogism are true then the conclusion must also be true.
See above.
If God can alter the laws of logic then apparently he can also alter the truth.
He can alter the laws of logic to comport more with Truth, despite our sentiments.
“As in God the subject (of cognition), the object (of cognition), and the act of cognition, are identical, it follows that God is The Absolute Logical Truth.” Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p. 33.
I absolutely agree.
If God has the ability to “do anything,” then does he also have the ability to not “do anything” at the same time and in the same sense? Yea or nay?
Earlier, in another thread entitled,
Can God Uncreate (I think), St. Thomas was pointed out as having said in one article that God could annihilate, then, in the very next, He said that He doesn’t annihilate. So, I’m in good company.
God bless,
jd