Jewish philosophy -- Early works to 1800; Judaism -- Works to 1900; Philosophy, Medieval -- Early works to 1800
If there were two Gods, there would necessarily be some element common
to both, whilst some element present in the one would be absent in the
other, and constitute the specific difference between them. This is a
philosophic and sound argument for those who are able to examine it,
and to obtain a clear insight into its premises, which will be further
explained, in our exposition of the view of the philosophers on this
point. But it cannot be accepted by those who admit the existence of
divine attributes. For according to their opinion, the Primal Cause
includes many different elements. They represent its wisdom and its
omnipotence as two different things, and again the omnipotence as
different from the will. Consequently it would not be impossible that
either of the two divine beings possessed several properties, some of
which would be common to both, and some peculiar to only one of them.
Third Argument.
This argument is likewise based on one of the Propositions of the
Kalâm. For some of the Mutakallemim belonging to the old school assume,
that when the Creator wills a thing, the will is not an element
superadded to the essence of God: it is a will without a substratum. In
accordance with the propositions which we have mentioned, and of which,
as you will see, it is difficult to form a true conception, they say
that one will, which is independent of any substratum, cannot be
ascribed to two beings; for, as they assert, one cause cannot be the
source of two laws for two essences. This is, as I told you, the method
of explaining one difficulty by means of another and still greater
difficulty. For as they define the Will, it is inconceivable, and some
have, therefore, considered it to be a mere non-entity; others who
admit its existence, meet with many insuperable difficulties. The
Mutakallemim, nevertheless, establish on its existence one of the
proofs for the unity of God.
Fourth Argument.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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