back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 6206

[from 'Critique of Practical Reason' by Immanuel Kant, in 28. God / B. Proving God / 3. Proofs of Evidence / c. Teleological Proof critique ]

Full Idea

Since we know only a small part of the world, and cannot compare it with all possible worlds, we can infer from the order, design and magnitude to a wise, beneficent and powerful Author, but not that He is all-knowing, all-good, and all-powerful.

Gist of Idea

From our limited knowledge we can infer great virtues in God, but not ultimate ones

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Practical Reason [1788], I.II.II.VI)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Practical Reason (Third edition)', ed/tr. Beck,Lewis White [Library of Liberal Arts 1993], p.146


A Reaction

This is very much in the spirit of David Hume, who inferred from the flaws in the world that God did not seem to be entirely competent. Hume is also more imaginative, in seeing that God might be a committee, or a hired workman.