litlle-bizon

The author discusses the following arguments for and against the existance of god. Ontological argument - When we hear the words ""that than which a greater cannot be thought"", we understand what the words convey, and what we understand exists in our thoughts. This then exists either only in our thoughts or both in thought and reality. But it cannot exist only in our thoughts, because if it existed only in our thoughts, then we could think of something greater than it, since we could think of something than which a greater cannot be thought that exists both in thought and in reality, and it is a contradiction to suppose we could think of something greater than that which nothing greater can be thought. Hence, that than which a greater cannot be thought exists both in thought and in reality. Therefore, that than which a greater cannot be thought really does exist. - Anselm This argument ultimately only proves that: ""All gods deserve worship, however many there might be."" However, it does not prove that that there are zero, one or more than one gods. Cosmological argument - All events have a prior cause. And that prior cause also had a prior cause. We can follow this back all the way through time until we get to the first cause, the first mover. This is God. This argument does not prove that the first cause is all knowing or if it knows anything at all. If it is all powerful or has finite power. If it is morally flawless or morally flawed. The first mover could be an all powerful god or merely a phenomenon of physics. Teleological argument Part 1 - Things look like they are designed. If you found a clock on the beach you would assume that there is a clock maker somewhere. This argument was presented before Darwin's time when there was not an alternative to explain phenomena that appear to be designed. Teleological argument Part 2 - Look at all of the good in the world. We can know simply by seeing a beautiful sunrise that God is the creator. ""All things testify that there is a Christ"". This argument suffers from extreme data selection (aka confirmation bias). Apologists who use this argument focus on praiseworthy elements while ignoring all of the tragedies in the world. Did god also create earthquakes, tidal waves, cancer, leprosy and screw flies that maim innocent people? Did god create Hitler, Stalin, Ghengis Kahn, Pol Pot and sleazy used car salesmen? Divine Inspiration - Some people claim that arguments are moot because they have had some experience with the divine. This claim does not account for the many contradictory divine experiences had by people around the world. People have claimed to have been visited by Jesus, Cloven Bull Foot and Angramishu (sp?) all with conflicting theology. Additionally, consider the story of Samuel in the old testament. He hears a voice calling his name repeatedly during the night and not until the third time did he realize that the voice was not from Eli in the other room but from God. If there is any ambiguity or interpretation when perceiving a divine manifestation then it could be interpreted incorrectly and is suspect. We interpret our experiences into a mental framework that makes sense to us. No one in a Hindu culture hears the voice of Quetzaqoatal. No one in ancient Scandinavia is visited by Ra. And no one in the U.S. bible belt witnesses a miracle of Cloven Bull Foot. If a Hindi hears the voice of God, it is of Vishnu. If a viking survives a storm at sea it is because Odin favors him. These contradictory experiences imply that something else is going on in the stories of the alledged divine experiences. Counter arguments - Atheists have argued an opposite teleological argument saying that god cannot exist because of all of the evil in the world. The evil is either natural disasters/diseases or man made. This argument is countered by appealing to the importance of agency. Or that God has a higher plan that we do not understand. The author concludes that there is not enough evidence to establish that God exists and there is not enough evidence to establish that God does not exist. It is a ""Scottish verdict"" - inconclusive.

2022-10-21 05:19