The God of the Philosophers

The God of the Philosophers represents Anthony Kenny's systematic examination of the philosophical coherence of classical theism's conception of God. Drawing on his expertise in both medieval philosophy and analytic philosophical method, Kenny subjects the traditional divine attributes to rigorous logical scrutiny, questioning whether the God of philosophical theology can withstand rational analysis.

Kenny structures his investigation around the major properties traditionally ascribed to God in Western philosophical theology: omniscience, omnipotence, immutability, eternity, and divine simplicity. His approach combines historical scholarship with contemporary analytical techniques, examining how philosophers from Aquinas to Leibniz have articulated these concepts while applying modern logical tools to assess their internal consistency and mutual compatibility. The work engages particularly with the Thomistic tradition, though Kenny extends his analysis to encompass broader scholastic and rationalist approaches to natural theology.

Central to Kenny's argument is the claim that several divine attributes, as classically formulated, generate intractable philosophical problems. He argues that omniscience conflicts with human freedom, that omnipotence leads to familiar paradoxes that resist satisfactory resolution, and that divine timelessness cannot be reconciled with a God who acts in history. His treatment of divine simplicity proves especially critical, as he contends that this doctrine, fundamental to classical theism, renders incoherent the distinction between divine attributes and ultimately makes impossible any informative discourse about God.

The monograph's significance lies not merely in its negative conclusions but in its methodological approach. Kenny demonstrates how analytical philosophy can illuminate traditional theological concepts while respecting their historical development. His work challenges both philosophers who uncritically accept classical formulations of divine attributes and theologians who dismiss philosophical criticism as irrelevant to faith. By showing that the "God of the philosophers" faces severe conceptual difficulties, Kenny implicitly raises questions about the relationship between philosophical theology and religious belief.

The work's influence extends beyond philosophy of religion to discussions of philosophical methodology. Kenny's careful balance of historical sensitivity and logical rigor provides a model for engaging with traditional metaphysical concepts. His analysis suggests that while philosophical reflection may not support classical theism, it remains indispensable for understanding what religious concepts mean and what commitments they entail. The monograph thus contributes both to specific debates about divine attributes and to broader questions about faith, reason, and the limits of philosophical theology.