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Argument against God’s existence from the impossibility of atemporal mind(s)

by | Dec 9, 2009 | Atheism, Secular Issues

In this argument against the existence of God presented by an atheist, an atemporal mind this proposed. The argument goes that God is, so to speak, outside of time and is not restricted to temporal processes. But mines involve processes which are temporal. Therefore, it is impossible for God to exist. The argument fails.

 

Argument from the impossibility of atemporal mind(s):

  1. God is atemporal
  2. God is/has a mind
  3. Minds are processes and/or involve processes
  4. Processes are temporal
  5. From 3, 4: Atemporal minds cannot exist
  6. From 1, 2, 5: Therefore god cannot exist

Refutation

  1. God is atemporal
    1. The word “atemporal” must be defined.
    2. Without a proper definition, the argument cannot be made.
  2. God is/has a mind
  3. Minds are processes and/or involve processes
    1. This assumes that all minds are like human minds; and that God, who is not restricted to time, must think in a manner that involves time, i.e., sequentially. The assumption cannot be verified, so the argument is based on an assumption and is not logical proof.
    2. Also, if God knows all things eternally, then sequential thought wouldn’t be necessary or applicable to God. Therefore, to apply a sequential requirement to God’s mind is invalid and unnecessary.
    3. If God is ontologically prior to the universe, then time isn’t applied to God’s mind; and the issue of the temporal sequence of God’s thoughts doesn’t apply.
  4. Processes are temporal
  5. From 3, 4: Atemporal minds cannot exist
  6. From 1, 2, 5: Therefore god cannot exist
    1. The issues in 3A, 3B, and 3C negate this argument as proof that God does not exist.

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