The existence of G-d has been debated for millennia with many problems relating to the existence of G-d created. Below we will examine some of those problems and then look at how the Rambam frames belief and the existence of G-d. Will we feel satisfied by the end of this? Probably not. After all, this only hits the tip of the iceberg of even Rambam's thoughts on the subject let alone the library of Jewish thought on faith and the existence of the divine. However, hopefully, it will give you some tools to think about the idea of G-d and faith with.
Trigger Question:
Could G-d Create a rock so heavy that even he couldn't lift it?
Trigger Question 2:
- If God exists, then God is omnipotent, omniscient, and morally perfect.
- If God is omnipotent, then God has the power to eliminate all evil.
- If God is omniscient, then God knows when evil exists.
- If God is morally perfect, then God has the desire to eliminate all evil.
- Evil exists.
- If evil exists and God exists, then either God doesn’t have the power to eliminate all evil, or doesn’t know when evil exists, or doesn’t have the desire to eliminate all evil.
- Therefore, God doesn’t exist.
Trigger Question 3:
If G-d exists why wouldn't they show theirself?
Trigger Question 4:
If G-d created the universe, who/what created G-d?
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
When reading my present treatise, bear in mind that by "faith" we do not understand merely that which is uttered with the lips, but also that which is apprehended by the soul, the conviction that the object [of belief] is exactly as it is apprehended. If, as regards real or supposed truths, you content yourself with giving utterance to them in words, without apprehending them or believing in them, especially if you do not seek real truth, you have a very easy task as, in fact, you will find many ignorant people professing articles of faith without connecting any idea with them.
When reading my present treatise, bear in mind that by "faith" we do not understand merely that which is uttered with the lips, but also that which is apprehended by the soul, the conviction that the object [of belief] is exactly as it is apprehended. If, as regards real or supposed truths, you content yourself with giving utterance to them in words, without apprehending them or believing in them, especially if you do not seek real truth, you have a very easy task as, in fact, you will find many ignorant people professing articles of faith without connecting any idea with them.
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
Alexander Aphrodisius said that there are three causes which prevent men from discovering the exact truth: first, arrogance and vainglory; secondly, the subtlety, depth, and difficulty of any subject which is being examined; thirdly, ignorance and want of capacity to comprehend what might be comprehended.
Alexander Aphrodisius said that there are three causes which prevent men from discovering the exact truth: first, arrogance and vainglory; secondly, the subtlety, depth, and difficulty of any subject which is being examined; thirdly, ignorance and want of capacity to comprehend what might be comprehended.
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
Men like the opinions to which they have been accustomed from their youth; they defend them, and shun contrary views: and this is one of the things that prevents men from finding truth, for they cling to the opinions of habit.
Men like the opinions to which they have been accustomed from their youth; they defend them, and shun contrary views: and this is one of the things that prevents men from finding truth, for they cling to the opinions of habit.
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
One must not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen
One must not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen
Questions:
What is Rambam saying here? How do you feel about it?
Is your faith real if it is unquestioning?
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
The definition of a thing includes its efficient cause; and since God is the Primal Cause, He cannot be defined, or described by a partial definition. A quality, whether psychical, physical, emotional, or quantitative, is always regarded as something distinct from its substratum... If God were corporeal, He would consist of atoms, and would not be one; or He would be comparable to other beings: but a comparison implies the existence of similar and of dissimilar elements, and God would thus not be one. A corporeal God would be finite, and an external power would be required to define those limits.
The definition of a thing includes its efficient cause; and since God is the Primal Cause, He cannot be defined, or described by a partial definition. A quality, whether psychical, physical, emotional, or quantitative, is always regarded as something distinct from its substratum... If God were corporeal, He would consist of atoms, and would not be one; or He would be comparable to other beings: but a comparison implies the existence of similar and of dissimilar elements, and God would thus not be one. A corporeal God would be finite, and an external power would be required to define those limits.
Questions:
What is Rambam saying here? How do you feel about it?
What are some examples that we know of in this world that are similar to what Rambam is saying in the first half?
Rambam's view of G-d is an influential view but not *THE* view. In fact, many find it controversial. How do you picture the idea of G-d? Is it similar or different in any way?
Introduction to the Guide to the Perplexed
Maimonides is of the opinion that the arguments based on the properties of things in nature are inadmissible, because the laws by which the Universe is regulated need not have been in force before the Universe was in existence
Maimonides is of the opinion that the arguments based on the properties of things in nature are inadmissible, because the laws by which the Universe is regulated need not have been in force before the Universe was in existence
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
God has no attributes...Know that when you make an affirmation ascribing another thing to Him, you become more remote from Him in two respects: one of them is that everything you affirm is a perfection only with reference to us, and the other is that He does not possess a thing other than His essence
God has no attributes...Know that when you make an affirmation ascribing another thing to Him, you become more remote from Him in two respects: one of them is that everything you affirm is a perfection only with reference to us, and the other is that He does not possess a thing other than His essence
The Guide to the Perplexed - Moishe Maimonides (Rambam)
All we understand is the fact that He exists, that He is a being to whom none of Adonai’s creatures is similar, who has nothing in common with them, who does not include plurality, who is never too feeble to produce other beings and whose relation to the universe is that of a steersman to a boat; and even this is not a real relation, a real simile, but serves only to convey to us the idea that God rules the universe, that it is He that gives it duration and preserves its necessary arrangement.
All we understand is the fact that He exists, that He is a being to whom none of Adonai’s creatures is similar, who has nothing in common with them, who does not include plurality, who is never too feeble to produce other beings and whose relation to the universe is that of a steersman to a boat; and even this is not a real relation, a real simile, but serves only to convey to us the idea that God rules the universe, that it is He that gives it duration and preserves its necessary arrangement.
Questions:
What is Rambam saying here? How do you feel about it?
Are you satisfied by how Rambam explains G-d's existence?
Do these teachings of Rambam's solve the original problems we talked about?
How do you feel about the idea of the existence of G-d now?
Do you have any new questions about the existence of G-d?