Divine Freedom: The Doctrine of the Eternal Truths

Abstract

In contrast to the God of St. Thomas, who can act only within the limits of what is logically non-contradictory — because only “whatever does not imply a contradiction is subject to the divine power”¹ — the omnipotence of Descartes’ God is absolutely unlimited. Accordingly, He could have made a circle whose radii are unequal; if the radii of a circle are equal, it is not because there is some intrinsic necessity in the nature of a circle, but only because God created them equal. In short, God is not bound to respect any norms — logical, moral, or legal — that are binding on man.

For He is not truly called Almighty if He cannot do whatsoever He pleases, or if the power of His almighty will is hindered by the will of any creature. St. Augustine, Enchiridion