Single Idea 7411

[catalogued under 28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 4. God Reflects Humanity]

Full Idea

All the attributes of God signify our inability and defect of power to conceive any thing concerning his nature.

Gist of Idea

The attributes of God just show our inability to conceive his nature

Source

Thomas Hobbes (The Elements of Law [1640], I.10.2), quoted by Richard Tuck - Hobbes Ch.2

Book Reference

Tuck,Richard: 'Hobbes: a very short introduction' [OUP 2002], p.89


A Reaction

Presumably he means that 'omnipotence' should just be translated as 'mind-boggling power'. St Anselm's concept of God (Idea 1405) is helpful here, placing it at the upper limit of what can actually be conceived.

Related Idea