If you found a stone in the woods, you probably wouldn't question its origins. For all you know, it could have lain there for centuries. But if you found a pocket watch in the middle of the forest, this wouldn't be a satisfying answer. Clearly there must be a watchmaker. Why? The watch seems complex, … Continue reading The Teleological (Design) Argument for the Existence of God
Pascal’s Wager: A Practical Reason to Believe
Suppose you have no idea whether theism or atheism is true, or suppose you find the evidence for both to be about equal, or even suppose you think atheism has the better case. Even so, according to the argument called Pascal's Wager, you should still be a theist. On (most) Judeo-Christian concepts of God, certain things … Continue reading Pascal’s Wager: A Practical Reason to Believe
Book in progress: Why Stefan Molyneux is Wrong About God
Stefan Molyneux is the host of Freedomain Radio, "the most popular philosophy show on the Internet." He's an atheist, and claims to be a philosopher. He's written one book on atheism and another on his theory of secular morality. I decided somebody needs to refute his arguments, and took it upon myself. The book is … Continue reading Book in progress: Why Stefan Molyneux is Wrong About God
List: Theist Philosophers
On this page we keep a list of theist philosophers. To qualify for inclusion, a philosopher must be contemporary, a theist, a professional philosopher, and have published work of significant quantity or quality in philosophy of religion. Members are listed alphabetically by surname, with brief descriptions of their studies and contributions. The list is currently … Continue reading List: Theist Philosophers
Beginner Core Articles
Any beginner who wishes to learn the essentials of philosophical theism should follow the articles on this list. Before arguments The Burden of Proof is on Theists and Atheists Pascal’s Wager: A Practical Reason to Believe Cosmological arguments The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument Teleological arguments The Teleological (Design) Argument for the Existence of God Other arguments … Continue reading Beginner Core Articles
Can God Be Omnipotent?
An atheist might say God cannot exist because omnipotence is impossible, and God is defined as omnipotent. This objection wouldn't apply to all deities, of course. Zeus wasn't thought to be omnipotent, so this objection wouldn't prevent anyone from affirming the existence of Zeus. It does apply to the regular Judeo-Christian idea of God, which … Continue reading Can God Be Omnipotent?
The Burden of Proof is on Theists and Atheists
Atheists often claim that their position is the default—they claim that if theists fail to prove God exists, then God doesn't exist. This is false. Both theism and atheism—if these words are used in their usual way—must provide evidence for their positions. When an atheist makes this claim, he commits a the fallacy of argument … Continue reading The Burden of Proof is on Theists and Atheists
Excerpt: Aquinas’ Five Ways
I answer that, The existence of God can be proved in five ways. The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be … Continue reading Excerpt: Aquinas’ Five Ways
Excerpt: Aquinas on the Problem of Evil
Objection 1: It seems that God does not exist; because if one of two contraries be infinite, the other would be altogether destroyed. But the word "God" means that He is infinite goodness. If, therefore, God existed, there would be no evil discoverable; but there is evil in the world. Therefore God does not exist. … Continue reading Excerpt: Aquinas on the Problem of Evil
The Problem of Evil
The problem of evil is the most common and powerful philosophical argument used against theism. It doesn't apply to all forms of theism (since it assumes God to be omnipotent and omnibenevolent), but does apply to regular Judeo-Christian conceptions of God, including the one defended by this institute. The argument, as popularly formulated, goes like … Continue reading The Problem of Evil
Institute for Philosophical Theism 