PHI 2010: Section 6.1

Find a succint breakdown of some of the most important arguments and counterarguments from 6.1 under Theism.

Ontological Argument by St. Aquinas: The universe must have a “first cause,” which must spring from an eternal Being. That eternal Being is God. Counterargument: 1- Quantum physics proves that not every event has a cause. 2- The universe just “happens.” 3- The Big Bang Theory

Analogical Design Argument: A watch is to a watchmaker as the universe is to God. Counterargument: 1- John Stuart Mill sees the creation of the universe as evidence against the omnipotence of God. If God needs the universe to accomplish HIS goals, then HE is not omnipotent. 2- The universe "as organism" rather than a machine (where living things come into being through reproduction rather than conscious design.

Best Explanation Argument: The best explanation for the existence of such complex universe is that it was created by a supernatural Being. Counterargument: Evolution and natural selection

Intelligent Design: Evolution is false because there are structures that are so complex that they cannot have evolved through natural selection. Michael Behe’s idea of "irreducible complexity" claims just that. Irreducible complexity refers to a system composed of well-matched parts, interacting to bring forth a basic function (ex. a mouse trap). Counterargument: Most biologists believe that there are instances of systems that contradict Behe’s argument, ex. air bladders (or primitive lungs) made it possible for some fish to acquire new sources of food, but they were not necessary to the survival of the fish. Then as fish acquired legs and arms, lungs became essential.

Argument from Miracles: The universe must have been performed by a miracle worker. Counterargument: Why should God bend its own rules?

Argument from Religious Experience: A subjective experience that’s so powerful and unique that the only possible explanation is that it was produced by a supernatural being.
Counterargument: 1- Hallucinogenics have been used by ancient civilizations as worship experiences to tap into altered states. 2- This kind of experience is internal and vague and not enough to warranty an external source.

St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument: If one can conceive of a God (the greatest possible Being), then that God must exist in reality (a Being that exists in reality is greater than a being that exists only in our minds). Counterargument: “Superman.”

Descartes’ Ontological Argument: God is all perfection and since existence is perfection, then God exists. Counterargument: From Kant: Existence is not a defining property of anything.

Pascal’s Wager: We’re better believing in God rathern than not, just in case he exists.

Update on progress report

The progress report option for my classes ended over the weekend. I could only send them to two of my groups. However, the idea was to alert those students who were in a D-D situation (a "D" in the quiz and a "D" in the midterm). Unless you received an email from me you don't need to think of dropping the class now. On the other hand, if you are in a C-D or D-C situation, your average is sort of "D plus" or a "C minus" -depending whether the "D" happened in the midterm (which counts for 35% of the total grade). If you are in that situation you really need to aim for a "B" in the final exam to end up with a better average.