Divine power - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Divine power, a concept as old as human consciousness itself, signifies the purported omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence attributed to a supreme being or beings. It encompasses the ability to create, destroy, heal, judge, and intervene in the natural world, often exceeding the boundaries of human comprehension. Yet, what is "divine" and what is simply a projection of human hopes and fears remains a question that echoes through the ages.
References to divine power permeate the earliest written records. The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back to around 2100 BC, depicts gods wielding considerable influence over human affairs. Similarly, the Vedas, ancient Indian texts composed from around 1500 BC, speak of deities with cosmic powers shaping the universe and dictating moral law (deontology). The concept of divine power has always been intertwined to discussions of morality: did the gods ordain morality, or vise versa?
Over centuries, interpretations of divine power have undergone profound transformations. The monotheistic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, consolidated the concept into a single, all-powerful God, whose will is often seen as the source of all goodness and order and, yet, whose ways often defy human understanding. Thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, attempted to reconcile reason and faith, arguing for God's existence based on logical arguments. In contrast, existentialism questioned the very existence of a divine plan, emphasizing human freedom (free will) and responsibility in a world devoid of inherent meaning. This perspective leaves individuals to grapple with the implications of determinism and compatibilism and how those play into the paradox of free will to decide what is right and wrong. Skepticism about divine power, or any kind of power, in ethical decisions also requires critical thinking skills to combat cognitive bias.
The legacy of divine power continues to shape our world. It inspires acts of great compassion (altruism), monumental artistic achievements, and profound philosophical inquiries into the nature of existence. It also fuels conflict, drives ethical debates, and challenges our understanding of moral obligation. Even in an increasingly secular age, the symbolic power of divine authority persists, re-emerging in discussions of justice theory, social contract ethics, and ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence. Does the pursuit of AI ethics offer a new form of moral absolutism or a chance to build ethical systems grounded in reason and fairness not unlike utilitarianism and deontology?