The Paradox of God and the Science of Omniscience

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.

Playful and profound, bizarre and brilliant—Pickover blends science fiction with science, religion, and philosophy in a unique and user-friendly manner.

The author of over 20 highly-acclaimed books, including Computers, Patterns, Chaos, Beauty, Clifford A. Pickover writes on diverse topics ranging from computers and creativity, art, mathematics, and astronomy to human behavior and intelligence, time travel, alien life, and science fiction.

Introduction * The Paradox of Omniscience * God and Evil * Cain's Dilemma * The Parable of Algae * Newcomb's Paradox and Divine Foreknowledge * The Devil's Offer * The Revelation Gambit * The Paradox of Eden * The Brain and God: Who's in Charge? * The Bodhisattva Paradox * The Paradox of Pascal's Wager * Two Universes * Gödel's Proof of God * The Paradox of Uzzah * The Paradox of Dr. Eck * The Paradox of Led Zeppelin * A Few Quick Puzzles and Surveys * Some Final Thoughts * Appendices * A. Can God Change His Mind? * B. Biblical Suggestions that God is Omniscient * C. 30 Examples of God Entering the Time Stream and Aiding Mass Killing * D. Can a Just God support Cannibalism and Child Sacrifice? * E. Aquinas's God and Maxwell's Demon * F. Can an Omniscient Being Lose His Temper? * G. The Paradox of the Flood * H. St. Augustine and The City of God * I. Does God Makes Mistakes and Learn? * J. God Wants Fear * K. Two Proofs That God is not All Knowing? * L. Sixty Way-out Questions to Ponder *