An Experiment in ‘Steelmanning’: Let’s Try to Formulate a Good Argument from Cosmology Against Naturalism
In the spirit of my last post, I think it would be interesting to engage in some inquiry about whether the kalam cosmological argument is onto something. Rather than try to repair the kalam cosmological argument as it stands, I think it would be interesting to channel Richard Swinburne or Paul Draper and see if … An Experiment in ‘Steelmanning’: Let’s Try to Formulate a Good Argument from Cosmology Against Naturalism
Genuine Inquiry vs. Partisan Advocacy: Philosophy of Religion vs. Apologetics
Yesterday I blogged about a “recommended apologetics reading” list created by Western Michigan University philosopher Tim McGrew. After several cordial exchanges with Tim, I’ve decided that, despite my best attempts to be charitable, I failed. Contrary to what I had suggested, Tim stated, “I certainly would not recommend that anyone with a serious interest in the truth of … Genuine Inquiry vs. Partisan Advocacy: Philosophy of Religion vs. Apologetics
Is Ravi Zacharias a Hypocrite Regarding Christian Sexual Morality?
Steve Baughman reports that Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, who I critiqued long ago, has admitted to receiving sexually explicit photos from a married woman not his wife. If true, this would obviously not be a crime, but it would definitely be a violation of Christian sexual morality. As a reminder, Baughman previously documented how Zacharias … Is Ravi Zacharias a Hypocrite Regarding Christian Sexual Morality?
Link: “Slavery, Southern Conservatism, and Darwinian Natural Right” by Larry Arnhart
“Some of the opponents of Darwinian moral naturalism insist that morality requires a transcendent source in religious belief. But in this debate over slavery, we see that such religious belief–at least as coming from Biblical revelation–does not provide us reliable moral guidance. Cobb was able to show that the Bible–both the Old Testament and the … Link: “Slavery, Southern Conservatism, and Darwinian Natural Right” by Larry Arnhart
Does “Science” Make Theism Likelier than Atheism?
Victor Reppert recently linked to an article on the blog Saints and Sceptics (S&S), “Why Science Makes Theism Likelier than Atheism.” In this blog post, I’m going to critically assess that article. 1. What is the Evidence to be Explained? S&S begin their article as follows: Should we view the order of the universe, and our ability … Does “Science” Make Theism Likelier than Atheism?
Does Atheism Undercut the Case for Equal Human Rights?
Philosopher Victor Reppert thinks so. I’m not certain, but I think his argument for this claim is supposed to be found in an earlier post of his. At the same time, Reppert, like the overwhelming majority of theists who write about such topics, completely glosses over what atheist intellectuals who specialize in the topic have … Does Atheism Undercut the Case for Equal Human Rights?
Latest from Paul Draper: “Atheism and Agnosticism” for SEP
Here’s a topic which generates no disagreement at all: how to define the words “atheism” and “agnosticism.” LINK I am honored to have been listed in the acknowledgments. ETA: Comments on this post will be heavily moderated. My goal in having a comments box on this post, as with all posts, is to have informative … Latest from Paul Draper: “Atheism and Agnosticism” for SEP
Revised Comments Moderation Policy
I recently announced a comments moderation policy which included this: 5. This blog has a philosophical focus; the editors and authors aren’t interested in debating with readers who think philosophy is worthless or cannot understand the value of clearly defined terms. Comments along those lines will be blocked. UnitedAndy objected: I guess the biggest objection I … Revised Comments Moderation Policy
Dissatisfaction with Many Arguments for and Against Dualism
Victor Reppert recently posted on his blog the following quotation of Susan Blackmore: How can objective things like brain cells produce subjective experiences like the feeling that ‘I’ am striding through the grass? This gap is what David Chalmers calls ‘the hard problem.’ …It is a modern version of the ancient mind/body problem – but … Dissatisfaction with Many Arguments for and Against Dualism
Christian Emotional Coercion
Steve Hays at Triablogue writes: I don’t owe transgender soldiers any more gratitude than I owe squeegee bandits. Don’t do something I didn’t ask you to do, want you to do, or approve of, then pretend you were doing it for me. Don’t attempt to put me in your debt against my will. Your emotional … Christian Emotional Coercion