Is arrogance a downfall for omnipotent beings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Surrealist
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the concept of omnipotence and the nature of arrogance in relation to a divine being. It questions whether an omnipotent being can be considered arrogant, suggesting that arrogance may stem from primitive emotions and fears of vulnerability. The conversation also explores the idea that an omnipotent being's actions might be misinterpreted as arrogance from a non-omnipotent perspective. Furthermore, it raises the point that if an omnipotent being is infinitely greater than humans, their actions could be seen as honest rather than arrogant. Ultimately, the interpretation of arrogance depends on context and perception.
Surrealist
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
I saw honestrosewater's post about Kaku in the General Forum. I started thinking about Type III civilizations. Here is a related question (which actually came up in ST:TNG a few times)...

Does an omnipotent being have the right to be arrogant?

Would an omnipotent being be arrogant? To me, arrogance seems like a rather primitive emotion. Since the beginning of civilization, we have been warned that arrogance leads to a fall. The stories of Nimrod, Icarus, and Bellerophon are good examples.

Why does arrogance usually result in disaster? Is it because arrogance encourages us to lower our guard to our vulnerabilities? If this is true, then a truly omnipotent being has nothing to worry about.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Surrealist said:
Does an omnipotent being have the right to be arrogant?

Sometime I think of this in a differ sence. My big deal with god is with the whole worship thing. Why if he's so kick ass does he need to be worshiped? Just becasue he created us why should we be thankful? After all it's his fault I'm here in the first place, if he didn't make me I wouldn't have sinned. I mean don't set a 20oz steak in front of me if you don't want me to eat it eh?

But on to your question.

Wouldn't the omnipotent beings only be arrogant from our point of view? To each of them they are all aware all knowing nothing to worry about so no questions come up. Kinda like nothing every occurs to the Being because everything already has. So for a non-omnipotent being(NOB) to be in the presences of omnipotent being(OB). The NOB would always be asking questions and such , and to the OB they would know everything and would concern themselves with us and our questions...it's the whole us and ants thing...maybe we are as arrogant to ants.
 
I think an omnipotent being wouldn’t be arrogant by virtue of omnipotent. Descarte argued that an omnipotent being wouldn’t ever lie, because deception always comes from fear of a consequence. Much like arrogance comes from a fear of perception, and fear of perception is a fear of self-worth.
 
arrogance (uncountable)

The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption. Closely related to the act of arrogating. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Arrogance


All I get from the definition is: "subjective, subjective, subjective, the act of being subjective".

I guess to us, God could appear arrogant by his actions. However, if we agreed that God is infinitely times greater than us, than he's not being arrogant, just honest. But would he feel the need to convey that he's greater than us through his actions? I guess it depends on the context. If he's doing it to show us that he's God or to show us what he can do, then it can be interpretted as arrogance but also as simply a demonstration. If he's flaunting he's "Godliness" around just for the hell of it, I guess he could be called arrogant, but how would we know why he's doing it?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Every day we learn new things. Sometimes it's just a small fact or realization. No matter how trivial or random, let's start recording our daily lessons. Please start off with "Today I learned". Keep commentary to a minimum and just LIKE posts. I'll start! Today I learned that you clean up a white hat by spraying some cleaner with bleach on it (rinse before putting it back on your head!)
Back
Top