Very Interesting Theistic Argument
I just discovered Robin Collins’ very, very interesting reply to Carroll. Collins defends an entirely new class of fine-tuning argument for theism. This new class of fine-tuning argument does not argue that the universe is fine-tuned for life. Rather, this new class of fine-tuning argument argues that the universe is fine-tuned for discoverability. This novel argument sets up the following reply … Very Interesting Theistic Argument
Extremely Low Entropy of the Early Universe as Evidence against Theism?
One of the topics from last Friday’s debate between William Lane Craig and Sean Carroll was the extremely low entropy of the early universe. As I type this blog post, the video of the debate isn’t available, so I’m going from memory. But I thought I heard Carroll argue that the extremely low entropy of … Extremely Low Entropy of the Early Universe as Evidence against Theism?
Swinburne’s Cosmological & Teleological Arguments
I’m not going to try to fully explain and evaluate Swinburne’s Cosmological and Teleological arguments for God here. That would be way too much to tackle in one or two blog posts. There are just a couple of doubts or concerns about these arguments that I would like to express and explore. Swinburne’s inductive cosmological … Swinburne’s Cosmological & Teleological Arguments
Plantinga on the Alleged “Irrationality” of Atheism
I want to comment on Gary Gutting’s recent interview of Alvin Plantinga in the New York Times. Unless otherwise indicated, the quotations are quotations of Plantinga. Still, that’s not nearly sufficient for atheism. In the British newspaper The Independent, the scientist Richard Dawkins was recently asked the following question: “If you died and arrived at the … Plantinga on the Alleged “Irrationality” of Atheism
Reppert on Theistic Explanation
Victor Reppert has chimed in on my reply to Wintery Knight. This is always an interesting issue. But does it really make sense to ask of an omnipotent being how they did something. For example, I once beat a Grandmaster in a chess tournament. Now, you might ask how I did that, since as someone … Reppert on Theistic Explanation
Intelligent Design Arguments and Cumulative Cases
As we saw in my reply to Wintery Knight, he (like many other proponents of intelligent design or ID) propose that there are multiple, independent lines of evidence which favor intelligent design over its alternatives. Here is a partial summary of the evidence ID proponents offer. How Correct Cumulative Cases Work To make things … Intelligent Design Arguments and Cumulative Cases
Scientific Discoveries, Theism, and Atheism: Reply to Wintery Knight
I’m going to offer some comments on a recent post by Wintery Knight. He writes: When people ask me whether the progress of science is more compatible with theism or atheism, I offer the follow four basic pieces of scientific evidence that are more compatible with theism than atheism. [italics are mine] The following point … Scientific Discoveries, Theism, and Atheism: Reply to Wintery Knight
Initial Impressions on the Andrews-Schieber Debate: Part 4
In this post, I’m going to comment on Schieber’s’ first rebuttal. Schieber’s First Rebuttal In defense of his argument from divine lies, Schieber writes: As to my argument against Christian knowledge, Mr. Andrews replies that he knows God is essentially truthful – that it is impossible for God to lie because it logically contradicts his … Initial Impressions on the Andrews-Schieber Debate: Part 4
Initial Impressions on the Andrews-Schieber Debate: Part 1
Christian Max Andrews and Atheist Justin Schieber recently had a debate on the existence of the Christian god. Both audio and a transcript are available online. I think it’s well worth listening to or reading. In what follows, I want to offer my initial impressions of both debaters’ opening statements. Max Andrews’ Case for Christian … Initial Impressions on the Andrews-Schieber Debate: Part 1
Speaking in Seattle on Saturday
I will be reprising my recent talk to the Central London Humanists, “Evidence About God: What Apologists Don’t Want You to Know,” but this time my audience will be the Creation Association of Puget Sound (CAPS). When: Saturday, May 11, 2013, 7:00PM Where: Avondale Bible Church, 17010 Avondale Road Northeast, Woodinville, WA Here is information … Speaking in Seattle on Saturday