Atheism

Question 1

What is atheism

Answer 1

The position that God doesn’t exist in any form and there’s nothing behind the universe as we observe it

Question 2

Types of atheism and their definitions

Answer 2

Positive — assert non-existence of God and believe they’re able to prove it
Negative — they believe that in absence of evidence, it’s right to believe God doesn’t exist
Narrow — doesn’t believe in exigence of God but doesn’t necessarily reject the supernatural or any other gods
Wide — doesn’t believe any God or gods exist, not limited to the classical one

Question 3

What is agnosticism ?

Answer 3

The belief that its impossible to know in present time whether God exists or not and so the only rational option is to reserve judgement

Question 4

What is the improbability of God ?

Answer 4

It’s the argument that it’s more probable that God doesn’t exist, but does not eliminate the possibility that He exists.

Question 5

What is the incoherence of the God of classical theism

Answer 5

Classical theism believes in a God who is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent and transcendent.
Incoherences arise from these attributes:
- problem of suffering and evil: if God is God all-powerful, all-loving and all-knowing, then why can’t he stop the suffering ?
- impossibilities: “Can God sin?” “Can he create a colourless orange ball?” Does this hinder His omnipotence or are there exceptions
- implications of free will if God knows the future

Question 6

What is presumption & knowledge?

Answer 6

Presumption: Form of belief that’s in support with reason and logic
Knowledge: true belief, but not all true belief constitutes knowledge

Question 6

Philosophical responses to improbability of God

Answer 6

For:
-Occam’s razor
- Hume argued human beings have natural tendency to be bewitched by winder and mystery which gives a strong desire to believe in the extraordinary
Against :
- Pascal’s wager maintained that probability was on the side of God

Question 6

What is Flew’s presumption of atheism?
Main argument in favour

Answer 6

He argued our default state of being should be skeptic or negative atheist
He said that the burden of proof lies on the proposition (theist) and they must have reasons to warrant their claim that God exists
- Occam’s razor/ principle of simplicity

Question 7

Scientific responses to improbability of God

Answer 7

For:
Evolution, natural selection

Against:
Stephen Unwin developed mathematical theory which concludes the probability of God existing is 67%
- gaps in evolution, missing links and lack of explanation for DNA

Question 8

Philosophical responses for and against the presumption of atheism — Charles Sanders Pierce (mathematician and philosopher)

Answer 8

For
C. S Pierce argues that the attainment of truth is through inquiry and investigation as far as it can go.

Against:

C. S Pierce argues that we can’t begin with universal and complete doubt in order to form beliefs, so we must start with already existing prejudices

Question 9

Philosophical response against the presumption of atheism — John Hick (British philosopher)

Answer 9

• According to philosopher of religions John Hick, it’s challenging to provide empirical evidence or evidence through experiments for a belief that is transcendental, so rational belief in God lacking absolute proof or evidence is possible. For example, there are many rational people who can’t help believing in God. - - Therefore, if they’re rational, we must accept that they must have rational reason to do so.