The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 4
In this version, I am going to make a subtle switch in the emphasis of the argument from the scale of the universe to the fact that humans don’t have a privileged position (spatially or temporally) in the universe.[1] Preliminaries B: The Relevant Background Evidence 1. A physical universe, which operates according to natural laws … The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 4
The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 3
In part 2 of my series on the evidential Argument from Scale (AS), I concluded that neither metaphysical naturalism nor theism explain the evidence regarding the scale of the universe, if we restrict our background knowledge to the two propositions I identified as B1 and B2. In this post, I want to explore the effect of … The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 3
The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 2
Originally published on 14-Nov-11; updated 20-Nov-11 In part 1 of my series on the evidential Argument from Scale (AS), I concluded that Everitt’s formulation of AS is unsuccessful. At the same time, however, I said that there is something about the AS I find intuitive and so I wanted to try revising AS as a … The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 2
The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 1
There is something about Nicholas Everitt’s argument from scale for atheism that appeals to my intuitions, but I haven’t been able to quite put my finger on what it is. So I’m going to try to reformulate the argument from scale as a Bayesian argument. Before I do, however, let’s review Everitt’s formulation of the argument. … The Argument from Scale (AS) Revisited, Part 1
Peter Atkins’ Opening and Closing Statements for the Craig-Atkins Debate (2011)
(Posted with the permission of Peter Atkins.) Opening Statement My immediate task is to set out my stall, not to respond to Dr Craig’s arguments at this stage: that will come later. It is, in fact, my task to bring you forward from the eleventh century, where you have been immersed with considerable erudition for … Peter Atkins’ Opening and Closing Statements for the Craig-Atkins Debate (2011)
LINK: Ted Poston on the Problem of Social Evil
According to Ted Poston, the problem of evil includes more than just the familiar categories of moral evil and natural evil. It also includes social evil, which he defines as any pain or suffering brought about by game-theoretic interactions of many individuals. Social evils cannot be reduced to natural or moral evil. Moreover, traditional defenses … LINK: Ted Poston on the Problem of Social Evil
LINK: Mark Wynn’s Review of The Non-Existence of God by Nicholas Everitt
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LINK: Brian Garvey on Absence of Evidence, Evidence of Absence, and the Atheist’s Teapot
Abstract Atheists often admit that there is no positive evidence for atheism. Many argue that there is nonetheless a prima facie argument, which I will refer to as the ‘teapot argument’. They liken agnosticism to remaining neutral on the existence of a teapot in outer space. The present paper argues that this analogy fails, for … LINK: Brian Garvey on Absence of Evidence, Evidence of Absence, and the Atheist’s Teapot
Catalog of Bayesian Arguments in Philosophy of Religion
I’ve created a new page, with a permanent link near the top of the screen, to a catalog of Bayesian arguments in the philosophy of religion, including Bayesian arguments for and against God’s existence. This is a work-in-progress, so please leave a comment on that page to let me know of any additions, edits, etc. … Catalog of Bayesian Arguments in Philosophy of Religion
LINK: Stephen Law’s Evil-God Challenge
In his recent debate with William Lane Craig, Stephen Law presented his evil God challenge. Law had formally documented this challenge in a 2009 article in the academic journal Religious Studies. Here is the abstract: Abstract: This paper develops a challenge to theism. The challenge is to explain why the hypothesis that there exists an … LINK: Stephen Law’s Evil-God Challenge