The Paradox of God and the Science of Omniscience

by Pickover, Clifford A.

• ISBN13: 9781403964571
• ISBN10: 1403964572
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-03
• Publisher: Griffin

Summary

Pickover Bridges the Gulf Between Logic, Spirit, Science, and Beligion in his latest, and arguably best, creation. In exploring the concept of omniscience. Pickover presents startling paradoxes that challenge our deepest notions about God while revealing both the awesome powers and limitations of omniscient beings. In Paradox, ideas, thought exercises, experiments, and practical analogies are used to explore what types of relationships we ordinary humans might have with an omniscient God. Pickover asserts that discussions on the supernatural are not beyond the domain of science. This is a groundbreaking notion, one which may forever alter how we think about the Bible, religion, God, and the universe. Through an inventive blend of science, history, theology, philosophy, science fiction, and mind-stretching brainteasers, Pickover unfolds the paradoxes of God like no other writer. Ultimately, he provides glimpses into the infinite, allowing us to think big and have daring, limitless dreams. Book jacket.

Author Biography

The author of over 20 highly-acclaimed books, including Computers, Patterns, Chaos, Beauty, Clifford A. Pickover writes on diverse topics ranging from computers and creativity, art, mathematics, and astronomy to human behavior and intelligence, time travel, alien life, and science fiction.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
The Paradox of Omniscience	p. 11
God and Evil	p. 19
Cain and Abel's Dilemma	p. 27
The Parable of Algae	p. 39
Newcomb's Paradox and Divine Foreknowledge	p. 45
The Devil's Offer	p. 67
The Revelation Gambit	p. 76
The Paradox of Eden	p. 96
The Brain and God: Who's in Charge?	p. 104
The Bodhisattva Paradox	p. 116
The Paradox of Pascal's Wager	p. 124
Two Universes	p. 132
Godel's Proof of God	p. 136
The Paradox of Uzzah	p. 141
The Paradox of Dr. Eck	p. 152
The Paradox of Led Zeppelin	p. 160
A Few Quick Puzzles and Surveys	p. 166
Some Final Thoughts	p. 178
Appendices	p. 204
Can God Change His Mind?	p. 205
Biblical Suggestions that God Is Omniscient	p. 206
Thirty Examples of God Entering the Time Stream and Aiding Mass Killing	p. 207
Can a Just God Support Cannibalism and Child Sacrifice?	p. 213
Aquinas's God and Maxwell's Demon	p. 217
Can an Omniscient Being Lose His Temper?	p. 218
The Paradox of the Flood	p. 219
Saint Augustine and The City of God	p. 220
Does God Make Mistakes and Learn?	p. 221
God Wants Fear	p. 222
Two Proofs that God Is Not All-Knowing?	p. 224
Sixty-Four Way-Out Questions to Ponder	p. 227
Notes	p. 233
Further Reading	p. 249
About the Author	p. 253
Index	p. 255
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