The Paradox of God and the Science of Omniscience

by Clifford A. Pickover

In his most ambitious book yet, Clifford Pickover bridges the gulf between logic, spirit, science, and religion. While exploring the concept of omniscience, Pickover explains the kinds of relationships limited beings can have with an all-knowing God. Pickover's thought exercises, controversial experiments, and practical analogies help us transcend our ordinary lives while challenging us to better understand our place in the cosmos and our dreams of a supernatural God. Through an inventive blend of science, history, philosophy, science fiction, and mind-stretching brainteasers, Pickover unfolds the paradoxes of God like no other writer. He provides glimpses into the infinite, allowing us to think big, and to have daring, limitless dreams.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, Science, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Clifford Alan Pickover is an American author, editor, and columnist in the fields of science, mathematics, science fiction, innovation, and creativity. For many years, he was employed at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, New York, where he was editor-in-chief of the IBM Journal of Research and Development. He has been granted more than 700 U.S. patents, is an elected Fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and is author of more than 50 books, translated into more than a dozen languages.

Reviews

[Ronny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting views on the paradoxes involved in ominscience. I'm not sure this makes that much of a contribution in the anti-theistic literature, but some of the thoughts are -- well, food for thought. My favorite was the paradox was this: A (an omniscient being) is involved in potentially deadly game of chicken with B (a non-ominiscient being). Provided B knows A is omniscient, then B has a guaranteed win against A, thus paradoxically showing that in some cases, privileged information in a game can ensure the disadvantage to the party that supposedly has the advantage.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read quite some time ago. It's a mix of game theory, neuroscience and a little philosophy. On the whole it would be good for someone who was new to these sorts of things.

[Andrew Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn’t really give any great arguments, but it’s more of a book that contains lots of brain teasers and things to think about concerning god and omniscience. I think my favorite part of the book is the appendix, which lists every source used in the book, those for and against theism, and also many scriptural references sorted by topics that were discussed in the book. Much of the content is presented in a playful way, and thus shouldn’t be taken too seriously, but should also spark long pondering sessions and stretch your way of thinking.

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the most difficult and the most important book I read this year!!!