Divine domination

Toni Alimi

doi:10.1017/S0034412525100917

Divine domination

Toni Alimi

Religion

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article develops the problem of divine domination. Classical theism describes God as essentially all-powerful, sovereign, personal, omnipresent, and a se. If such a being exists, then he dominates humans in virtue of his essential properties. Since dominative relationships are unjust, the divine-human relationship is unjust. I reject solutions to this problem that appeal to humanity's childlikeness or divine goodness, justice, or greatness. I conclude by gesturing towards what a solution to the problem might require.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Religious Studies
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034412525100917
State	Accepted/In press - 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Religious studies
Philosophy

Keywords

classical theism
domination
problem of evil
republicanism

Access to Document

10.1017/S0034412525100917

Cite this

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title = "Divine domination",

abstract = "This article develops the problem of divine domination. Classical theism describes God as essentially all-powerful, sovereign, personal, omnipresent, and a se. If such a being exists, then he dominates humans in virtue of his essential properties. Since dominative relationships are unjust, the divine-human relationship is unjust. I reject solutions to this problem that appeal to humanity's childlikeness or divine goodness, justice, or greatness. I conclude by gesturing towards what a solution to the problem might require.",

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AB - This article develops the problem of divine domination. Classical theism describes God as essentially all-powerful, sovereign, personal, omnipresent, and a se. If such a being exists, then he dominates humans in virtue of his essential properties. Since dominative relationships are unjust, the divine-human relationship is unjust. I reject solutions to this problem that appeal to humanity's childlikeness or divine goodness, justice, or greatness. I conclude by gesturing towards what a solution to the problem might require.

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KW - domination

KW - problem of evil

KW - republicanism

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Divine domination

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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