ABSTRACT
The historical discussions of these five attributes of God are complex and fascinating. I hope to have unravelled at least some of their complexities, and to have offered interpretations of the classical texts which are at least defensible even though, as I am well aware, some of my readings might be challenged, at least in detail if not in their main outlines. Just as important, though, is something else which I hope has emerged from engaging the classical writers in discussion. Despite their considerable differences and their widely disparate assumptions, Aquinas, Ockham, Descartes, Molina, Hume and Kant are in agreement with one another to a somewhat greater extent than is often supposed. Even when they disagree over what has to be said about these attributes, or, indeed, whether anything can properly be said about them at all, they often share similar views on where the main problems lie, and on what are the main difficulties which have to be confronted.
