Subject: A Synthetic Proof that God Exists

A Synthetic Proof that God Exists

The following proof uses Godels' theorem as a stepping stone to proving the existence of an infinite mind, which is then identified with God.

The proof is in two steps.

Step One: Existence Proof of Higher Worlds

Let us suppose that human reason forms a closed system. By 'human reason' I mean the set of synthetic a priori principles that delineate the categories of human thought, together with the principles of classical logic. Godel's incompleteness proof showed that any closed system is incomplete in the sense that there are true sentences that are unprovable in the system. These sentences are sentences about the system itself, such as "S is consistent", where 'S' refers to some closed system. These sentences can only be proved by moving up a type into a higher order "metasystem". Now consider the sentence "S is consistent" as applied to human reason. It follows from Godel's incompleteness proof that this sentence is unprovable in the system of human reason.

Nevertheless, we do have inductive, empirical, and pragmatic grounds for believing that human reason is consistent. We have an inductive basis in that other smaller systems of a lower order can be proved to be consistent by means of a higher order system. We have empirical grounds in that we have yet to deduce a contradiction from the laws of classical logic. We have a pragmatic basis in that the use of human reason has proved to be of practical value as a framework for conceiving the world.

But if the sentence "S is consistent", as applied to human reason, is true, it is provable, as is shown by an application of Leibniz's Principle of Sufficient Reason. This principle states that there is a sufficient reason for everything. Leibniz intended this to mean that there is an a priori proof for every true sentence (or proposition).

But a proof of "S is consistent" cannot be given in the system of human reason (our system). In order to do this, one would have to transcend the bound of human reason, which, as we all know, cannot be done. In less picturesque terms, the proof could only be given in a system more powerful than ours, one which is "up a type" from ours.

But it follows from the incompleteness proof and Leibniz's Law that there must be such a system. Hence, higher worlds exist.

Step Two: A Synthetic Proof that God Exists

Since the laws of logic describe the way our minds necessarily work, we cannot conceive of what a Super Logic of the kind whose existence has been proved is like. We stand with respect to such a system in the same way a person who is a point on a line stands with respect to flatland, or in the same way in which a person in flatland stands with respect to a three-dimensional world. We are simply unable to conceive of such a world. Nevertheless, such a world must exist, as has been demonstrated.

Because no logical system can exist apart from some mind, the existence of a Super Logic requires the existence of a higher mind.

Since there are infinitely many such logical systems (the same argument could be repeated for each logical system), these systems must describe the workings of an infinite mind. But only God can have an infinite mind. Therefore, God exists.

Jesse L. Yoder
FLOW RESEARCH
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I would be interested in any comments on this proof. Please email comments to: jesse@flowresearch.com

Thank you!

Flow Research
27 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-224-7550
781-224-7552 (fax)
email: info@flowresearch.com