Argument from Incoherence: Challenging the Concept of God's Existence

Question 1

Analyze how the 'Omnibenevolence Paradox' exposes a logical fallacy within the Argument from Incoherence, leading to inconsistencies in the concept of God.

Accepted Answer

The Omnibenevolence Paradox highlights the contradiction between an all-good and all-powerful God and the existence of evil and suffering. If God is truly good, he would not allow suffering. If he is all-powerful, he could eliminate it. Thus, the coexistence of God and evil is logically incoherent.

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The Argument from Incoherence claims that the concept of God is inherently contradictory because it involves a perfect being who created an imperfect world. However, this does not specifically address the Omnibenevolence Paradox.

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The Problem of Evil is a philosophical problem that questions God's existence based on the presence of evil and suffering. While related to the Argument from Incoherence, it is distinct from the Omnibenevolence Paradox.

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The Ontological Argument attempts to prove God's existence based on the concept of a perfect being, but it does not directly relate to the logical fallacies within the Argument from Incoherence.

Question 2

Which of the following is the central idea of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

The concept of God is logically inconsistent and contradictory.

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God's all-powerful nature contradicts the concept of human free will.

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The existence of evil disproves the existence of God.

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The universe arose through natural processes, negating the need for a divine creator.

Question 3

Which logical fallacy is primarily highlighted in the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

Contradiction

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Circular reasoning

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False dilemma

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Appeal to emotion

Question 4

What is the main conclusion drawn from the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

The concept of God is inherently meaningless and irrational.

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Humans have no moral obligation to worship God.

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Religious faith is inherently irrational.

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God's existence is impossible in reality.

Question 5

Which philosopher is primarily associated with developing the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

J.L. Mackie

Answer

David Hume

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Søren Kierkegaard

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William Paley

Question 6

How does the Argument from Incoherence differ from other arguments against the existence of God?

Accepted Answer

It emphasizes the internal logical contradictions within the concept of God, rather than relying on external empirical evidence.

Answer

It relies heavily on personal experiences and subjective beliefs.

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It is based solely on scientific observations and data.

Question 7

What is the broader significance of the Argument from Incoherence in the context of the philosophy of religion?

Accepted Answer

It challenges traditional conceptions of God and raises fundamental questions about the rationality and coherence of religious beliefs.

Answer

It provides definitive proof against the existence of God.

Question 8

**[Precision]** Which premise is central to the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** The concept of God is inherently contradictory.

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**[Precision]** God's omnipotence implies that he can perform any action, even creating a stone too heavy for himself to lift.

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**[Precision]** The existence of evil refutes God's benevolence.

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**[Precision]** The problem of suffering disproves God's existence.

Question 9

Which logical fallacy is illustrated in the following argument: 'If God is omnipotent, he can create a stone too heavy for him to lift. Yet this is impossible, so God cannot be omnipotent.'

Accepted Answer

**[Precision]** Contradiction

Answer

**[Precision]** False dilemma

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**[Clarity]** Ad hominem

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**[Precision]** Circular reasoning

Question 10

**[Clarity]** Which argument potentially counters the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** The concept of God transcends logical or rational comprehension, instead relying on faith.

Answer

**[Clarity]** God's existence can be empirically proven.

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**[Clarity]** The Argument from Incoherence applies only to the Christian concept of God, not to other religious conceptions of divinity.

Question 11

**[Precision]** Which philosophical approach primarily underpins the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** Logical positivism

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**[Clarity]** Phenomenology

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**[Clarity]** Thomism

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**[Clarity]** Existentialism

Question 12

**[Precision]** Which key implication does the Argument from Incoherence have for the existence of God?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** If the concept of God is incoherent, its existence is logically impossible.

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**[Precision]** The Argument from Incoherence applies solely to anthropomorphic conceptions of God.

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**[Clarity]** The Argument from Incoherence definitively disproves the existence of God.

Question 13

**[Precision]** Which philosopher is closely associated with the development of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** Bertrand Russell

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**[Clarity]** Immanuel Kant

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**[Clarity]** Saint Thomas Aquinas

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**[Clarity]** René Descartes

Question 14

**[Precision]** The Argument from Incoherence is sometimes referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** The Logical Argument against the Existence of God

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**[Clarity]** The Cosmological Argument

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**[Clarity]** The Teleological Argument

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**[Clarity]** The Ontological Argument

Question 15

**[Precision]** The Argument from Incoherence has been employed to support which philosophical stance?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** Atheism

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**[Clarity]** Agnosticism

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**[Clarity]** Deism

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**[Clarity]** Theism

Question 16

**[Precision]** Which is a strength of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

**[Clarity]** It highlights the logical contradictions inherent in the concept of God.

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**[Clarity]** It provides irrefutable proof that God does not exist.

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**[Clarity]** It is universally accepted by all philosophers and theologians.

Question 17

Which of the following is a central premise of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

The concept of God as both omnipotent and benevolent leads to inherent logical contradictions when considering the existence of evil in the world.

Answer

The universe has always existed.

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Miracles are possible occurrences.

Question 18

What type of logical fallacy is committed when the concept of God is characterized as both omnipotent and benevolent, but the presence of evil in the world is acknowledged?

Accepted Answer

Contradiction

Answer

False dilemma

Answer

Circular reasoning

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Begging the question

Question 19

Which philosopher is predominantly associated with the development of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

J.L. Mackie

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

David Hume

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 20

What is the primary conclusion drawn by J.L. Mackie from the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

The concept of God is inherently illogical, making the existence of God highly improbable.

Answer

The universe is fundamentally flawed.

Answer

God exists, but lacks omnipotence.

Question 21

How does the Argument from Incoherence differ from the Problem of Evil?

Accepted Answer

It focuses on the logical contradictions within the concept of God, rather than the presence of suffering and evil in the world.

Answer

It argues that God is not morally responsible for evil.

Question 22

How does the Argument from Incoherence relate to the concept of theodicy?

Accepted Answer

It challenges traditional attempts to reconcile the existence of God with the presence of evil.

Answer

It provides an alternative explanation for the origin of evil.

Answer

It supports the claim that God is ultimately responsible for evil.

Question 23

Which of the following is a strength of the Argument from Incoherence?

Accepted Answer

It highlights the logical contradictions within the concept of God.

Answer

It is universally accepted by all philosophers.

Answer

It provides an irrefutable proof against the existence of God.