Argument against God's existence from the existence of an inefficient universe

by Matt Slick

Argument from the existence of an inefficient universe

1. A functionally perfect entity is an entity whose actions are perfectly efficient.
2. God is functionally perfect
3. God created the universe
4. If a being creates a functional entity, the efficiency of the entity is directly related to the efficiency of the being.
5. If a being creates an inefficient entity, the being is not efficient.
6. A perfectly efficient being would only be able to create perfectly efficient entities
7. The universe contains processes/functions which are inefficient
8. From 2,3,4,5: Therefore god is not functionally perfect.
9. Therefore god does not exist.

 Refutation

1. A functionally perfect entity is an entity whose actions are perfectly efficient.
2. God is functionally perfect
3. God created the universe
4. If a being creates a functional entity, the efficiency of the entity is directly related to the efficiency of the being.
   1. “related” does not mean 1 to 1 exact correspondence. Therefore, there is no logical need to require God to create beings as efficient as himself and the argument fails at this point.
   2. If God alone is perfectly efficient, it is a property that belongs to God and cannot be applied to creation which, by definition, is not God.
5. If a being creates an inefficient entity, the being is not efficient.
   1. This does not logically follow.  God can create an inefficient being on purpose.
6. A perfectly efficient being would only be able to create perfectly efficient entities
   1. “Would” does not mean he “must”.
7. The universe contains processes/functions which are inefficient
8. From 2,3,4,5: Therefore god is not functionally perfect.
9. Therefore god does not exist.