Posts Tagged: God Delusion
Pow! There Goes Richard Dawkins Down
Dawkins: In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won’t find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe
Pow! There Goes Richard Dawkins Down
Dawkins: In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won’t find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe
Tooley, Plantinga and the Deontological Argument from Evil Part II
“God can do wrong only if he commands himself to do something and then disobeys his own command.”In this post, I will argue that Plantinga’s criticisms can be reformulated by appealing to a divine command theory of ethics and when they are, it can be shown that Tooley’s argument relies on controversial moral assumptions that many theists do, in fact, reject. Finally I will look at two objections to this line of argument; the claim that, even on a divine command theory, God has obligations and Tooley’s critique of the divine command theory. I will argue both objections fail.
Tooley, Plantinga and the Deontological Argument from Evil Part II
“God can do wrong only if he commands himself to do something and then disobeys his own command.”In this post, I will argue that Plantinga’s criticisms can be reformulated by appealing to a divine command theory of ethics and when they are, it can be shown that Tooley’s argument relies on controversial moral assumptions that many theists do, in fact, reject. Finally I will look at two objections to this line of argument; the claim that, even on a divine command theory, God has obligations and Tooley’s critique of the divine command theory. I will argue both objections fail.
Tooley, Plantinga and the Deontological Argument from Evil Part I
(2) Any omnipotent, omniscient and morally perfect person would prevent the existence of any state of affairs that is both (a) intrinsically bad, or undesirable, and (b) such that he could prevent its existence without either allowing an equal or greater evil, or preventing an equal or greater good.6
Tooley, Plantinga and the Deontological Argument from Evil Part I
(2) Any omnipotent, omniscient and morally perfect person would prevent the existence of any state of affairs that is both (a) intrinsically bad, or undesirable, and (b) such that he could prevent its existence without either allowing an equal or greater evil, or preventing an equal or greater good.6
Atheist Tooley’s Problem Of Evil Refuted
First, in general, Dr. Tooley’s argument is based on a theory of logical probability which is highly controverted and irrelevant to real life situations. His premise (16)—that the probability of the wrong-making properties of an action’s outweighing its right-making properties is greater than ½—that premises is based on a theory of probability which is rejected by almost all probability theorists today, in part because the probabilities that it yields are dependent upon arbitrary choices made by the theorist and are therefore not objective. Many other approaches to probabilistic reasoning have been developed which do not share the failings of Dr. Tooley’s approach,1 and these do not support his key premise.
Atheist Tooley’s Problem Of Evil Refuted
First, in general, Dr. Tooley’s argument is based on a theory of logical probability which is highly controverted and irrelevant to real life situations. His premise (16)—that the probability of the wrong-making properties of an action’s outweighing its right-making properties is greater than ½—that premises is based on a theory of probability which is rejected by almost all probability theorists today, in part because the probabilities that it yields are dependent upon arbitrary choices made by the theorist and are therefore not objective. Many other approaches to probabilistic reasoning have been developed which do not share the failings of Dr. Tooley’s approach,1 and these do not support his key premise.
Be Good In Arguing
Be the best in arguments, Simple, and easy Logic classes online, free:
If you use Adverbs of Probability; the likelihood of something happening. (example, may,might, should,) in the premise(s) then the Conclusion must also include this adverbs of probability.
Example:
Modus Ponens (Latin: mode that affirms)
1. If A, then B(Major premise)
2. A(Minor premise)
3. Therefore B.(Conclusion)
Be Good In Arguing
Be the best in arguments, Simple, and easy Logic classes online, free:
If you use Adverbs of Probability; the likelihood of something happening. (example, may,might, should,) in the premise(s) then the Conclusion must also include this adverbs of probability.
Example:
Modus Ponens (Latin: mode that affirms)
1. If A, then B(Major premise)
2. A(Minor premise)
3. Therefore B.(Conclusion)
Flower’s Christian View On Atheism
1. Humanism – Man is the measure of things, the highest being; his own god. Gen. 3:5 – “you shall be like God.” Man is god.
2. Secularism – from Latin saeculum = world. This world is all there is. Self-limiting. The world is god.
3. Naturalism – The natural order is the only order. Nature is god.
4. Scientism – Physical science will discover and give us all the answers we need. Science is god.
5. Positivism – “seeing is believing;” empiricism. Sensory perception is god.
6. Materialism – acquisition of material goods is the ultimate goal. William James: “Truth is the cash value of an idea.” Money or things is god.
7. Intellectualism – By logic and rational thought, man can figure everything out. Epistemological belief-system. Reason is god.
8. Existentialism – Everything is tested by human feelings. All is subjective. Emotions are god.
9. Relativism – There is no absolute. Everything is relative to your perspective. Personal viewpoint is god.
10. Pragmatism – Have to go with what “works.” Must be practical. Expedience is god.
11. Socialism – The good of the whole is the highest good. Society is god.
12. Statism – Government will solve all the problems, and take care of man. Government is god.
13. Pluralism – It doesn’t matter what you believe or do. Tolerate everything. Diversity is god.
14. Hedonism – Sensual pleasure is the highest good. If it feels good, it is good. “Eat, drink and be merry.” Pleasure is god.
Flower’s Christian View On Atheism
1. Humanism – Man is the measure of things, the highest being; his own god. Gen. 3:5 – “you shall be like God.” Man is god.
2. Secularism – from Latin saeculum = world. This world is all there is. Self-limiting. The world is god.
3. Naturalism – The natural order is the only order. Nature is god.
4. Scientism – Physical science will discover and give us all the answers we need. Science is god.
5. Positivism – “seeing is believing;” empiricism. Sensory perception is god.
6. Materialism – acquisition of material goods is the ultimate goal. William James: “Truth is the cash value of an idea.” Money or things is god.
7. Intellectualism – By logic and rational thought, man can figure everything out. Epistemological belief-system. Reason is god.
8. Existentialism – Everything is tested by human feelings. All is subjective. Emotions are god.
9. Relativism – There is no absolute. Everything is relative to your perspective. Personal viewpoint is god.
10. Pragmatism – Have to go with what “works.” Must be practical. Expedience is god.
11. Socialism – The good of the whole is the highest good. Society is god.
12. Statism – Government will solve all the problems, and take care of man. Government is god.
13. Pluralism – It doesn’t matter what you believe or do. Tolerate everything. Diversity is god.
14. Hedonism – Sensual pleasure is the highest good. If it feels good, it is good. “Eat, drink and be merry.” Pleasure is god.
Since Evil & Suffering Exist, A Loving God Cannot …?
The presence of evil, pain and suffering in our world is the most persistent argument raised against the belief in God. Usually it goes something like this…
1. An all-knowing God would know evil exists.
2. An all-loving God would want to prevent evil from existing.
3. An all-powerful God could prevent evil from existing.
4. But evil does exist.
Since Evil & Suffering Exist, A Loving God Cannot …?
The presence of evil, pain and suffering in our world is the most persistent argument raised against the belief in God. Usually it goes something like this…
1. An all-knowing God would know evil exists.
2. An all-loving God would want to prevent evil from existing.
3. An all-powerful God could prevent evil from existing.
4. But evil does exist.
Prayson Daniel
