Simplicity of God and knowledge

[jochoa]

Perhaps another means to recognize that God can have a plurality of knowledge while remaining simple is via the Holy Trinity.

Since the Father knows certain things the Son, nor the Holy Spirit, knows, God can know things God doesn’t know simply because God is three persons that are each fully God.

I brought up the other questions because I am seeking a means to connect from other’s understandings. I struggle to see how knowledge in a living/thinking/planning being isn’t simple.

 

[quaestio45]

I struggle to see how knowledge in a living/thinking/planning being isn’t simple.

Well, if I am not mistaken, knowledge is the composition of truths. Thus it can’t be simple.

Perhaps another means to recognize that God can have a plurality of knowledge while remaining simple is via the Holy Trinity.

Since the Father knows certain things the Son, nor the Holy Spirit, knows, God can know things God doesn’t know simply because God is three persons that are each fully God.

True… that is possible. I’m just at a loss to understand how God can have a singular simple conscious while simultaneously retaining a hugely composed understanding of reality.

 

[jochoa]

I am about at a loss too!

Try the following thought experiment:
Consider yourself as existing in complete solitude with absolutely noting material around you. In essence, you are a singular simple conscious amidst nothing. You can imitate the feeling by closing your eyes in darkness, and with your eyes closed, this is existence (your conscious). Now in this existence, the way to create something is to think of it. Therefore, you thoroughly and intimately know your plan to fulfill your greatest creation before creating it, and therefore you have total knowledge within a singular simple conscious.

Thanks for your patience with me! I appreciate and am enjoying our discussion!

 

[quaestio45]

Ahhh… so let me see if I can understand what you’re saying. If I’m not mistaken, you’re saying that because a conscious is not knowledge, ot need not the nature of knowledge (such as composition in forms, like knowledge). That be so, you may be “composed” in what you hold consciously yet are uncomposed in being, yes? Okay, final question then, and this is a tricky one I think. What do you make of the idea that God’s knowledge is also his conscious which is also his existence? Total simplicity and all that? Are these things really possibly all the same thing when one is necessarily composed (knowledge) while the others aren’t (conscious)? Sorry for all the questions mate, I know it might be a bit annoying so I appreciate your patience, believe me .

 

[jochoa]

Sorry for all the questions mate, I know it might be a bit annoying so I appreciate your patience, believe me .

I find the challenge of discovering the bridges necessary to connect our different uses of language to be highly enjoyable and interesting! Plus, I love pondering the Creator of Everything!

That be so, you may be “composed” in what you hold consciously yet are uncomposed in being, yes?

That is one of the ideas, and I envision relating to “In the beginning there was the Word…”
Yet since we are considering a timeless existence, where nothing physically changes around you, you could either be “composed” or “uncomposed” in being, and there would still be no change.

Okay, final question then, and this is a tricky one I think. What do you make of the idea that God’s knowledge is also his conscious which is also his existence?

When pondering the position of the Creator of Everything, prior to creating anything, and the greatest creation, we discover there is indeed an absolute greatest creation, which is other beings equal in capability and morality to the Creator of Everything. This is often worded as others that love as God loves, eternally true friends, true love, and family to name a few.
Furthermore, since we are given a single starting point, a means to create (namely to think it), and a universal greatest creation, we can ponder the construct to logically fulfill the greatest creation. And with these 3 givens, we find this plan will end up being a universal formula.

With all that said, since the plan is a universal formula and is set before the beginning of time, it exists outside of time and is unchanging, and therefore, with God all things are one because nothing changes. So Yes, God’s existence is His conscious; is His knowledge; is…

Total simplicity and all that? Are these things really possibly all the same thing when one is necessarily composed (knowledge) while the others aren’t (conscious)?

I definitely agree with total simplicity!
But, I am not certain your use of “others.” Would you please share in other words “…while others aren’t (conscious)”?

May you have a blessed day!

 

[quaestio45]

I find the challenge of discovering the bridges necessary to connect our different uses of language to be highly enjoyable and interesting! Plus, I love pondering the Creator of Everything!

Such am I as well, I admit.

I definitely agree with total simplicity!
But, I am not certain your use of “others.” Would you please share in other words “…while others aren’t (conscious)”?

Certainly; it seems as if the attributes of the divine can’t be totally simple, one in the same in him, for God has traits which are opposite (conscious, which is simple, and knowledge, which is composite). How then, can it be said that these distinct things may be one in God?

 

[jochoa]

At this point in discussion, I don’t have any other ideas than to become a broken record!

The eternal aspect of the attributes and the distinct persons of God make the attributes simple and one.

Thanks for the enjoyable dialogue! Till next time, may the peace of Christ be with you!