Classical Theism, Philosophy, and Religion Forum

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

Chit-Chat » What was your red pill moment? » 4/19/2018 8:13 pm

@RomanJoe
Well that's sad that your philosophy professor quoted from the God Delusion. Still, hopefully some of the students become more like FSC. Do you have other works from more competent atheists? Like Mackie, Gale, Schellenberg, Sobel, Oppy, Smith, etc? 

Religion » How to speak with atheists » 3/23/2018 9:51 pm

@ joewaked

Hmmmm, the premises seem plausible to me. Nonetheless, given that Dave denies the PSR then I think your response works. I will add that if anyone denies the PSR then they can might as well reject philosophy and rationality. Let me quote Alexander Pruss from his "The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument" paper, "Is it morally acceptable to redirect a speeding trolley from a track on which there are five people onto track with only one person. On the other hand, it is not right to shoot one innocent person to save five. What is the morally relevant difference between the two cases? If we denied the PSR, then we could simply say: 'Who cares? Both of these moral facts are just brute facts, with no explanation.' Why, indeed, suppose that there should be some explanation of the difference in moral evaluation if we accept the denial of the PSR, and hence accept that there can be facts with no explanation at all? Almost all moral theorists accept the supervenience of the moral on the nonmoral. But without the PSR, would we really have reason to accept that? We could simply suppose brute contingent facts. In this world, torture is wrong. In that world, exactly alike in every other respect, torture is a duty. Why? No reason, just a contingent brute fact. The denial of the PSR, thus, would bring much philosophical argumentation to a standstill."

Theoretical Philosophy » What is the best atheism has to offer? » 2/21/2018 8:54 pm

@ Dry and Uninspired 

On a more serious note, which Christian philosopher said that? I haven't read Michael Martin's book but I think most of the time he attacks the more contemporary philosophers rather than the older types. Anyways, try out J.L. Mackie's Miracle of Theism, Richard Gale's On the Nature and Existence of God, and Schellenberg's Divine Hiddeness and Human Reason. 

Chit-Chat » What have you changed your mind on? » 2/20/2018 5:50 pm

@DanielCC

Who do you think provides the best defenses or formulations of the moral argument? Lately, I've been thinking about the moral argument. Any recommended works would be of great appreciation. 

Religion » How to speak with atheists » 2/19/2018 5:03 pm

@ joewaked
I think I understand what you are asking.

In a way, yes, God is "possession of all perfections."* Let's remember that God cannot lack "perfection" or else He's not God. Since that's the case then yes, such "perfection" necessarily includes moral goodness. 

*As a side note: This can lead to semantic-ontology questions. 

Religion » How to speak with atheists » 2/16/2018 10:29 pm

@ joewaked

I'm going to pitch in my two cents. 

"If so, how do we develop the argument for his moral goodness?   I’m currently stuck in my explanation of how/why God must be morally Good."

I'm not exactly sure what are you asking. However, I will give you related answers. Since God is Goodness Itself then from His Nature (which is His Goodness) "flows" the good. More specifically, God will necessarily (meaning in all possible worlds) give out good moral commands and command avoiding evils.  
 

Theoretical Philosophy » Epistemic Nihilism » 2/14/2018 12:30 am

@FrenchySkepticalCatholic

Problem of Evil

Chit-Chat » Somedays God doesn't exist » 2/12/2018 8:15 pm

Hi everyone,

I would like to pitch in my two cents. If ~PSR then brute facts. If this is the case then there is no point in asking why, its just is. Hence, one stops looking for metaphysical answers and becomes cynical. Teleologically, one frustrates one's rational intuitions, as aftermathemat said.  

Religion » How to speak with atheists » 2/10/2018 7:48 pm

@ Dry and Uninspired 
Hopefully their hearts become unhardened. 

Religion » How to speak with atheists » 1/28/2018 8:43 pm

Hi Dry and Uninspired, 
I'm not sure if this will help, but have you brought up atheist to theist conversions? For example, have you told them how Dr. Feser changed his mind due to natural theology arguments? What about one of atheism"s strongest defenders, Anthony Flew? You could also mention Dr. Sarah Salviander (An astrophysicist and a Christian). She was born and raised in an atheist household, but became a theist when she studied astrophysics.  

Board footera

 

Powered by Boardhost. Create a Free Forum