Important New (Advanced but) Must-Read Book on Ethics without God by Erik Wielenberg
Oxford University Press has just published the latest book by Erik Wielenberg, entitled Robust Ethics: The Metaphysics and Epistemology of Godless Normative Realism. Those of you who are regular readers of this blog know that I am a big fan of Wielenberg’s work; his previous books include Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe (Cambridge … Important New (Advanced but) Must-Read Book on Ethics without God by Erik Wielenberg
Massimo Pigliucci on Metaethics, Part 1
William Lane Craig and Massimo Pigliucci debated the existence of God in 1998. (Click here to read the transcript.) In his opening statement, Craig presented his standard moral argument for God’s existence. (1) If God does not exist, objective moral values do not exist. (2) Objective values do exist. (3) Therefore, God exists. In his … Massimo Pigliucci on Metaethics, Part 1
William Provine on Evolutionary Naturalism and Morality
Cornell University biologist William Provine debated UC Berkeley law professor in 1998. (Click here for a link to the transcript.) In his opening statement, Provine made the following provocative assertion. Let me summarize my views on what modern evolutionary biology tells us loud and clear — and these are basically Darwin’s views. There are no gods, … William Provine on Evolutionary Naturalism and Morality
Another Failed Defense of “The Inevitable Consequences of an Atheist Worldview”
Steve Hays has commented on my previous post, “Fact Checking the Inevitable Consequences of an Atheist Worldview.” That post was a detailed summary and refutation of eight specific claims. Hays does not interact with any of the specific claims. Rather, he makes general points about my post as a whole. Here is Hays: Over at … Another Failed Defense of “The Inevitable Consequences of an Atheist Worldview”
Fact-Checking “The Inevitable Consequences of an Atheist Worldview”
Earlier this year, J. Warner Wallace reposted on his blog something written by an anonymous writer which describes “the inevitable consequence of an atheist worldview.” Wallace gives the writer the nickname “John.” I want to comment on “John’s” comments as well as Wallace’s commentary. Before I address “John’s” remarks, I first need to point out a fundamental … Fact-Checking “The Inevitable Consequences of an Atheist Worldview”
Atheism, Morality, and Divine Nature Theories vs. Ideal Observer Theories
This another item I found while organizing material on my hard drive. I think I am the author, but I am not certain of that. What is the advantage of divine nature theories over ideal observer theories? Consider, for example, a divine nature theory of moral value. On such a view, God’s nature, not God, … Atheism, Morality, and Divine Nature Theories vs. Ideal Observer Theories
J.L. Mackie’s Argument from Queerness against Objective Values
In his highly significant book, Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, the late Oxford philosopher J.L. Mackie rejected moral objectivism and instead defended an error theory.[1] Although Mackie admitted that ordinary moral language and first-level moral beliefs imply moral objectivism, he argued on empirical grounds that moral objectivism is false. Mackie called one of his anti-objectivist arguments … J.L. Mackie’s Argument from Queerness against Objective Values
Morality Cannot Have a Foundation in God: A Summary for the General Reader by Quentin Smith
The following essay was written by Quentin Smith around 2001 or 2002, but inexplicably fell through the cracks. While organizing files on my computer, I recently rediscovered it and am happy to be able to share it with our readers. I am posting it here, without taking a position pro or con, for interested readers. Feel … Morality Cannot Have a Foundation in God: A Summary for the General Reader by Quentin Smith
Can Atheism Support Ethical Absolutes? A Reply to Roger Olson
Roger Olson, a fellow Patheos blogger who can be found in the Evangelical channel on Patheos, has recently written a post entitled, “Can Atheism Support Ethical Absolutes? Is Ethics without Absolutes Enough?” In that post, he appeals to what has been called “Karamazov’s Thesis,” which is the claim (attributed to Dostoyevsky), that “If God does not exist, … Can Atheism Support Ethical Absolutes? A Reply to Roger Olson
Why I am Not Concerned about Christian Theist Philosophers of Religion
One reason I am not concerned about the prevalence of Christian theists in the field of philosophy of religion is that they do a nice job of arguing against each other. William Lane Craig’s favorite argument for the existence of God is the Kalam cosmological argument. I’m happy that there are some atheist philosophers who … Why I am Not Concerned about Christian Theist Philosophers of Religion