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
Category: Beginner
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
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
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
The Ontological Argument
The ontological argument was famously first formulated by Anselm of Canterbury and later by Descartes. These versions are widely rejected, however. In this article we'll look at the modal ontological argument, a well-accepted modern formulation. 1. It is possible that God exists. 2. If it is possible that God exists, then God exists. 3. Therefore, … Continue reading The Ontological Argument
The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument
The Leibnizian cosmological argument, or the argument from contingency, is a form of cosmological argument which argues that all contingent things must have an explanation. There are different versions, but for our purposes we can defend a version like this: 1. Every contingent thing has an explanation for its existence. 2. The sum of all … Continue reading The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument
Institute for Philosophical Theism 