LINK: “Ethics and Evolutionary Theory” by Erik J. Wielenberg
I haven’t read this, but I’m posting the link because (1) I respect the author; and (2) I think the topic will of interest to many of our readers. LINK (Note: this article is behind a paywall) Reminder/Disclaimer: Posting links does not necessarily constitute endorsement.
McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 3: An Eternally Omniscient Person
McDowell’s Trilemma Argument (hereafter: MTA), can be found in The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict (hereafter: NETDV) by Josh McDowell (see pages 158-163). The first key premise of MTA is this: There is no good reason to believe that Jesus claimed to be God. None of the canonical Gospels report Jesus as having asserted the claim “I … McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 3: An Eternally Omniscient Person
Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
Gratuitous evil is evil that God would not permit. In Alvin Plantinga’s terms, God would not actualize such evils either strongly (i.e. by directly creating them) or weakly (i.e. by allowing free creatures to commit them). A gratuitous evil is one that God would have no morally sufficient reason for actualizing (strongly or weakly). God … Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 2: An Eternally Omnipotent Person
McDowell’s Trilemma Argument (hereafter: MTA), can be found in The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict (hereafter: NETDV) by Josh McDowell (see pages 158-163). ================= …Jesus definitely claimed to be God (see below and in Chapter 6). So every person must answer the question: Is His claim to deity true or false? (NETDV, p.158) ================= The first … McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 2: An Eternally Omnipotent Person
McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 1: An Eternally Bodiless Person
Here are the basic premises of McDowell’s Trilemma Argument (hereafter: MTA), from The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict (hereafter: NETDV by Josh McDowell: ================= …Jesus definitely claimed to be God (see below and in Chapter 6). So every person must answer the question: Is His claim to deity true or false? This question deserves a … McDowell’s Trilemma – Part 1: An Eternally Bodiless Person
An Evidential Argument from Evil: Natural Inequality
I want to quickly sketch an evidential (aka “explanatory” aka “abductive” aka “F-Inductive“) argument from evil, one which focuses exclusively on natural inequality. The argument is not mine; it belongs to Moti Mizrahi. The key point of Mizrahi’s argument, which he credits to an insight of John Rawls, is this: … natural endowments are undeserved.Now, if … An Evidential Argument from Evil: Natural Inequality
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Parts 5B and 5C
Joe Hinman’s fifth argument for the existence of Jesus based on external evidence is presented in two sections of his post on the Web of Historicity: 5B. Big Web of Historicity 5C. Jesus Myth Theory Cannot Account for the Web The fifth argument for the existence of Jesus can be summarized in terms of a … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Parts 5B and 5C
OK, so That’s What he Really Means
The following are recent statements by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and the explanations of those statements by his staff. [Note: Yes, this is satire. I am explicitly noting this since the Trump candidacy is proving Poe’s law that reality can become so bizarre that it is indistinguishable from satire.] Trump: Yeah, shoot crooked Hillary. … OK, so That’s What he Really Means
LINK: Would the World Be Better Off Without Religion? A Skeptic’s Guide to the Debate
I am linking to this, but not endorsing it. In fact, I haven’t even read the entire thing yet! LINK What I am about to write is not necessarily about the linked article, but about the article’s topic. My hunch (or bias?) is that the question posed in the title of the article is an extremely complex … LINK: Would the World Be Better Off Without Religion? A Skeptic’s Guide to the Debate
Are we Addicted?
As an entrepreneur, a heroin pusher has a big advantage. His customers become addicts; they cannot do without the product he sells. Pushers have no problem with getting repeat customers. Heroin addiction is a terrible national problem, but it is far from the most widespread addiction. According to an article in today’s Houston Chronicle, “The … Are we Addicted?