The Plantingian Trilemma
Abstract
Classical theism affirms absolute omniscience (knowledge of all truths including future contingents) and absolute omnipotence (unrestricted causal alternatives). I prove these are jointly inconsistent. Omniscience requires future propositions to be settled through knowledge's factivity. Omnipotence requires they remain open for divine power. Within temporal reality, this generates formal contradiction. I examine standard responses; divine timelessness, Molinism, divine simplicity, Ockhamism, open theism, showing each either reproduces the underlying structure or revises a classical commitment. The result is an inescapable trilemma.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Theology and Philosophy of Evil
Karl Barth and Christian Theology
Epistemology
Ethics
and Metaphysics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
- Publication date
- 9 February 2026
- Language
- EN