Philosophy is the perpetual vortex of thought and the true substance of nightmares for many college students. A subject so grandiose, it attempts to define indefinable words like evil, morality, and love. Yet, philosophy leaves its own imprint on each human being, and each thing that human creates. John Gardner’s Grendel, a reimagining of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, features fundamental philosophical ideas running through its core. In Grendel, Gardner explores topics such as nihilism, atheism, and isolationism to explain his view on the negative aspects of the human experience.…
Penn Jillette is a staunch atheist, or as he puts it “I am beyond atheism”. He does not believe in God, and even thinks of existence as a more positive experience without the existence or idea of a God. He believes that God does not exist and a world without God is better off in the long run. Jillette has many arguments opposing the existence of God. Mr. Jillette begins his argument opposing the existence of God by giving a definition of atheism, which he defines as “not believing in God,” or more specifically, the lack of positive belief that there exists such a being as God.…
Why do Secularists deny God’s existence? The word secularism comes from the Latin word "saecularis" meaning worldly or earthly. The belief in Secularism is that most secularists have the view that the mind is more powerful than God. Since secularism is without God, it leaves man with no purpose of personal guilt before the existence of God.…
Response to McCloskey’s Article Shamyra Thompson Liberty University Introduction In the short article On Being an Atheist, H.J. McCloskey discusses several arguments pertaining to the whether or no there is a God and what one believes to be evil. McCloskey also refers to the arguments as “proof” as well as implied several times that they can’t define or establish the existence of God. In the light of Foreman’s comments in regards to the question of God’s existence, I felt that he addressed the question by discussing the commonly asked question “Is there a God or if a God exist”. He also discussed what exactly is evil.…
In this paper I will explain and evaluate two popular arguments regarding the existence of God, A Scientific Argument for the Existence of God by Robin Collins and The Inductive Argument from Evil Against the Existence of God by William Rowe; then I will discuss how the conclusions are not compatible with one another due to the conflicting structure of the conclusions as well as how one cannot accept both conclusions without compromising one of the arguments. First I will explain the basis of Collins’ argument, which is one of the most frequently used arguments in favor of theism. In A Scientific Argument for the Existence of God, Collins centers around the observation of how finely tuned the physical constants of the universe are to the ability for any form of life to exist, if any of them were to change even the smallest bit then no life would possibly be able to develop not to…
(2) Some people are epistemically rational for not believing in God. (3) Therefore, God does not exist.” (Cullison, 2010, p. 119).…
Sharena Roberson PHL206-D Professor Mark E. Weber October 19,2015 Teleological Arguments for the Existence of God A teleological argument is one of the most popular arguments of the existence of God. It bases the proof of the existence of God on the order and design of nature, or the structure of the universe.…
When you hear the word evil what thoughts pop-in your head? Do you believe an evil can exist if there’s still a higher power or God? In this essay, I will be discussing Williams Rowe’s argument for atheism based on the Well-Known argument “The Problem of evil and Some Varieties of Atheism”. The problem of evil questions the existence of a God based on the evil in the world. In this paper, I will discuss his reasoning for atheism, I will explain in depth what he means by each premise.…
On pages 82-85 of Le Poidevin’s Arguing for Atheism, he makes an argument against Christianity based first on pluralism, and then introducing the problem of autonomy. The main thrust of this argument is: Since there are so many “equally compelling” religions, and most of them cannot coexist ideologically or even practically, why should Christianity be favored? One answer would be relativism, but the Christian, as Le Poidevin describes, cannot easily be relativistic. Le Poidevin then discusses entirely basing morality on whatever God commands. However, he quickly brings up the regressiveness of such a morality, which leads him to doubt that approach as a basis for belief in Christianity.…
The article H. J. McCloskey wrote, On Being an Atheist, discusses how arguments presented are proof that God does not exist. As I learned from Dr. Foreman’s presentation, Arguments for God’s Existence, there is nothing that can be proven with one-hundred percent certainty. We need not use arguments, but we should use evidence, just as an attorney in building a case against or for an accused. (Foreman, Approaching the Question of God 's Existence n.d.) Evidence sometimes is circumstantial, full of details and pointing indirectly toward the correct conclusion without absolutely proving it.…
There are several types of religions in our world. Each religion has their own views and beliefs on how our world was created. Christians believe the world and everything in it was created by God and God only. While Atheists believe there is no God at all, and they have different views on how the world was created. Christianity verses Atheistic Theism: they are two completely different worldviews.…
When analyzing an argument we must “judge the claim that’s made and the reasons offered for it.” (Porter, 2002, pg. 2) A claim needs a foundation of support before it should be believed. Strong, valid arguments should be free of contradictions and logical fallacies. While analyzing the argument “A Discourse on God”, I will show the different components that are that are weak.…
God Is Here The existence of God has puzzled humanity since it learned to think scientifically. Philosophers proclaim God’s existence has been a debate for centuries. It has been taken into great consideration by many scholars.…
Believing in the existence of God is often moral and not believing in the existence of God is immoral. Individuals that hold faith in atheism, agnosticism, irreligion or religious skepticism are the most hated groups. Religious groups admit atheism is immoral, however I believe atheism is not immoral. It is okay to be an atheist and not believe in the existence of God, but it is not okay to be an atheist and shame religions, their spirituality, and their values. Just like it is okay to be a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Sikh and etc, but being a homophobic , misogynistic, racist, or person full of hate and blaming it on your faith is not okay.…
God is Real Famous scientist Isaac Newton once said “In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's existence.” It is safe to say that some people need more convincing than Isaac Newton to believe in God. There have been countless movies made to convince the existence of the existence of God. An example is Heaven is For Real; unfortunately, there was controversy as to whether it was made up in order to become wealthy. There always seems to be a reason as to why the existence of God is false.…