Jewish philosophy -- Early works to 1800; Judaism -- Works to 1900; Philosophy, Medieval -- Early works to 1800
If God were corporeal, He would be finite, and so far this argument is
correct; if He were finite, He would have certain dimensions and a
certain form; this is also a correct conclusion. But they continue
thus: Attribute to God any magnitude or form whatever: He might be
either larger or smaller, and might also have a different form. The
fact that He has one special magnitude and one special form presupposes
the existence of a determining agens. I have heard that they attach
great importance to this argument, but in truth it is the weakest of
all the arguments mentioned above. It is founded on the tenth
proposition, the feebleness of which in ignoring the actual properties
of things, we have clearly shown in regard to ordinary beings and must
be much more evident in regard to the Creator. There is no difference
between this argument and their assertion that the fact of the
existence of the Universe having been preferred to its non-existence
proves the existence of an agens that preferred the existence of the
Universe to its non-existence at a time when both were equally
possible. If it were asked why this argument should not be applied to
God—viz., that His mere existence proved the existence of an agens
which determined His existence and rejected His non-existence—they
would undoubtedly answer that this admission would only lead to a
repetition of the same argument until at length a being be found whose
existence is not merely potential but necessary, and which does not
require a causa efficiens. But this same answer can also be applied to
dimensions and to form. It can only be said in reference to all other
forms and magnitudes, the existence of which is possible, that is to
say which came into existence after a state of non-existence, that they
might have been larger or smaller than they actually are, or that they
might have had a form different from that which they actually possess,
and require for this reason some determining agens. But the forms and
dimensions of God (who is above all imperfection and similitude)! did
not come into existence according to the opinion of the Corporealist
after a state of non-existence, and therefore no determining agens was
necessary; His substance with its dimensions and forms has a necessary
existence; no agens was required to decide upon His existence, and to
reject His non-existence, since non-existence is altogether
inadmissible in God. In like manner there was no force required to
determine His magnitude and form, they were absolutely inseparable from
His existence.
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