Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M6147

Omnipotence Paradox

Omnipotence Paradox
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

“Can God create a stone so heavy that He cannot lift it?” If He can, then He cannot lift it, so He is not omnipotent; if He cannot, then He cannot create it, so He is not omnipotent.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The self-destruction of absolute concepts. It reminds us that concepts like “omnipotence,” “absolute,” and “infinity” are often logically inconsistent. When setting goals or describing systems, avoid using absolute terms, as they usually imply logical bombs.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Self-referential absolute concepts lead to logical contradictions: defining “omnipotence” requires simultaneously possessing the mutually exclusive abilities to “create a stone that cannot be lifted” and “lift any stone,” which cannot both be satisfied, so the absolute concept is inconsistent.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence_paradoxZH · Explicit
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