Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of Religion

A Critique and Examination of Incompatibility Arguments Concerning Three Divine Attributes: Creatorship, Simplicity, and Eternity

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 the Imam khomeini Education and Research institute . Qom. Iran
2 the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute, Qom, Iran
10.22059/jpht.2026.410483.1006190
Abstract
The debate on the compatibility or incompatibility of God's attributes is currently one of the central topics in the philosophy of religion. Sometimes, the claim of incompatibility is directed at specific divine attributes ــ such as omniscience and omnipotence ــ individually, with attempts to demonstrate their self-contradictory nature through various arguments. In other instances, the claim of incompatibility arises between two or more attributes, positing that their simultaneous attribution to a single, unique being is logically impossible. Accordingly, atheists strive to find a basis for affirming their claim ــ i.e., the definitive denial of God's existence ــ by appealing to such incompatibilities within the divine attributes. Among the attributes that have been individually targeted with claims of incoherence, with attempts to demonstrate their self-contradictory character, are the three attributes of Creatorship, Absolute Simplicity, and Divine Eternity. In this article, we will critically examine arguments that seek to demonstrate incoherence within these three attributes. The study concludes that the arguments intended to establish the incoherence of divine creatorship, simplicity, and timeless eternity are not logically compelling. The alleged contradictions stem either from disputable assumptions or from problematic interpretations of these attributes. Therefore, such arguments do not succeed in demonstrating the impossibility of attributing these properties to God, nor do they provide adequate grounds for denying God's existence.
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