fallacy of understated evidence

Paul Draper, the Fallacy of Understated Evidence, Theism, and Naturalism

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(Redated post originally published on 23 November 2011) Paul Draper has usefully identified a fallacy of inductive reasoning he calls the “fallacy of understated evidence.” According to Draper, in the context of arguments for theism and against naturalism, proponents of a theistic argument are guilty of this fallacy if they “successfully identify some general fact … Paul Draper, the Fallacy of Understated Evidence, Theism, and Naturalism

William Lane Craig on the Prior Probability of Theism and the Fine-Tuning Argument

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One objection to fine-tuning arguments for God’s existence goes like this: simply showing that so-called ‘fine-tuning’ is more probable on theism than on atheism isn’t enough to show that God exists. One must also take into account the prior probability of theism. William Lane Craig responds to this objection in a recent Q&A on his … William Lane Craig on the Prior Probability of Theism and the Fine-Tuning Argument

WLC Denies That Anyone Has Ever Died a Sincere Seeker Without Finding God

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Can anyone sincerely lack belief in God? And even if they can, can anyone sincerely lack belief in God for the rest of their lives? Many people, including nontheists but not just nontheists, think the answer to both questions is plainly “yes.” But some (many?) theists, no doubt motivated by beliefs such as divine goodness, Biblical inerrancy, … WLC Denies That <I>Anyone</I> Has Ever Died a Sincere Seeker Without Finding God

Belated Summary of 2013 London Talk, “What Apologists Don’t Want You to Know about God”

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In March 2013, I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to the Central London Humanists Group. The title of my talk was, “What Apologists Don’t Want You to Know about God.” There was no recording of the talk, but I was just made aware that someone in the audience had taken the trouble … Belated Summary of 2013 London Talk, “What Apologists Don’t Want You to Know about God”

Biola University Offers Course on Apologetics vs. Philosophy

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LA MIRADA, CALIFORNIA–BIOLA (Bible Institute of Los Angeles) University will offer a course, “Apologetics vs. Philosophy,” as part of its M.A. in Christian Apologetics program, which will focus on the differences between Christian apologetics and philosophy. In a press conference with an equal number of reporters, apologists, and local Awana kids, program spokesman J.P. Moreland cited renowned … Biola University Offers Course on Apologetics vs. Philosophy

G&T Rebuttal, Part 3: Chapter 4

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Chapter 4. Divine Design G&T provide a brief introduction to what they call ‘the’ Teleological Argument, which they formulate as follows. 1. Every design had a designer. 2. The universe has a highly complex design. 3. Therefore, the universe had a Designer. (95) Like the cosmological argument, this argument is deductively valid. Again, my plan … G&T Rebuttal, Part 3: Chapter 4

The Evidential Argument from Biological Evolution, Part 2: Is Evolution Evidence for Theism?

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Let’s begin reviewing the logical form of the argument, as described in Part 1 of this series. (1) Evolution is antecedently much more probable on the assumption that naturalism is true than on the assumption that theism is true. (2) The statement that pain and pleasure systematically connected to reproductive success is antecedently much more … The Evidential Argument from Biological Evolution, Part 2: Is Evolution Evidence <I>for</I> Theism?