Ao12 b how successful is this argument in proving the existence of god ao12 immanuel kant, 17241804. Plantinga on dualism im in the process of writing the next podcast episode on alvin plantinga and his arguments around the idea of belief in god as a properly basic belief. Alvin plantingas surprisingly deflationary take on his. Graham oppy oup plantinga constructs an ontological argument using twentieth century developments in modality. The ontological argument mass market paperback january 1, 1965 by alvin plantinga author see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. By taking existence in reality to be a greatmaking property and god to be the greatest possible being, plantinga skillfully pr. A longawaited major statement by preeminent analytic philosopher alvin plantinga, where the conflict really lies illuminates one of our societys biggest debatesthe conflict between science and religion. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga free download as pdf file.
Obrien professor of philosophy emeritus at the university of notre dame and has written groundbreaking books on the problem of evil, god and science, and philosophical. Anselm of canterbury used a version of the argument in the 11th century ad, but it has its modern defenders as well. In god freedom and evil2 alvin plantinga advances a version of anselms famous argument, a version he holds to be a sound argument for the existence of god. The nature of necessity by alvin plantinga, 1974 online. Alvin plantinga s modal version is perhaps the most notable example. The possibility premise sure is, the other two in my formulation dont. Hartshorne 5, david lewis 9, alvin plantinga 16 and kurt godel 4 have either. In the first half on natural atheology, he addresses the socalled problem of evil, while part 2 addresses very briefly aquinas cosmological argument and paleys teleological argument, followed by a more indepth look at anselms ontological argument. Alvin plantinga, have even judged kants dictum to be totally irrelevant to. Obrien professor of philosophy emeritus at notre dame university. Plantinga s modal ontological argument includes many of the aspects of anselms original argument but includes various additions and changes. Ontological arguments are arguments, for the conclusion that god exists, from.
An introduction to alvin plantingas modal ontological. T his is a collection of philosophical papers by alvin plantinga. As is typically done, we might think of a possible world as a complete way that things might have been. Materialism is the idea that human beings are material objects brains perhaps, or some part of the brain without immaterial selves or souls.
Alvin plantinga the ontological argument page 115 the ontological argument alvin plantinga 1 the third theistic argument i wish to discuss is the famous ontological argument first formulated by anselm of canterbury in the eleventh century. He begins with a premise he thinks can be plausible to someone a priori. Critique of the ontological argument david duncombe. In the actual world i am writing up this blog post, but i could have decided instead to go pour myself a scotch. Alvin plantinga is held by many to be the greatest living christian philosopher, and has made immense contributions to various areas of. Original german text available online, 628 kb pdf file, maintained by alain. However, since he proves gods existence by virtue of a premise, god a maximally great being is a possible being, that is true only if god actually exists.
A philosopher defends religion by thomas nagel the new. William lane craig considers alvin plantingas version of the ontological argument as having the best chance of being cogent wlc 2004, p. This calls into question the validity of the argument. The author concludes that while the argument is probably. Alvin plantinga famously defends a version of the ontological argument that makes use of the notion of possible worlds. Introduction hroughout immanuel kants era, philosophers richly debated rene descartess seventeenthcentury reformulation of the ontological argument that anselm originnally advanced in the eleventh century. This argument for the existence of god has fascinated philosophers ever since anselm first stated it. Contemporary defenders of the ontological argument include alvin plantinga, william alston. Alvin plantingas properly basic belief religion refuted. The show was classic plantinga clear analysis, dry wit, admirable humility and surveyed some of the highlights of his impressive career including warrant, proper basicality and christian belief, the evolutionary argument against naturalism, and the ontological argument. Employing the idea of possible worlds, plantinga skillfully expresses anselms argument in a way that helps us both to understand the argument and to see its persuasive force.
God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga details trove. Alvin plantinga on the ontological argument springerlink. Plantinga begins his discussion of the ontological argument by borrowing seventeenth century philosopher leibniz idea of possible worlds. The logical structure of the modal ontological argument is valid, but premises are all points of contention and subject to challenge. One of the things atheists tend to believe is that modern science is on their side, whereas theism is in conflict with science. Guminski examines the modal ontological argument based upon possible worlds semantics expounded by alvin plantinga and further developed and defended by william lane craig. The ontological argument for the existence of god appearedto. Kants objection to the ontological argument andrew m. Daniel hill asked him all about his longawaited new book. Themes from richard swinburne, bergmann and brower, eds. Plantingas modal ontological argument includes many of the aspects of anselms original argument but includes various additions and changes.
Alvin plantingas most popular book is god, freedom, and evil. I have to say, i think several of the objections presented against the ontological argument basically miss the mark. Reassessing plantingas ontological argument for god. Suppose we think of natural theology as the attempt to prove or demonstrate the existence of god. Ontological arguments stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. It can be the former only if the concept of such a being is selfcontradictory or in. Articles 2016 law, cause, and occasionalism, in reason and faith. What was particularly intetesting was seeing alvin plantingas rebuttal of the argument he would later come to support, although only after tweaking it which i think has really transormed it and is the most convincing form of it that ive ever read. Alvin plantinga has 32 books on goodreads with 14036 ratings. Professor plantinga, in your new book, warranted christian belief, you. He ontological argument for the existence of god has.
Books by alvin plantinga author of god, freedom, and evil. Plantinga on the free will defense 125 tological proof, the atheist can, as even plantinga admits, successfully revise 2 to say. In short, the prize goes to people who labor valiantly to make religion appear reasonable. Ao1 a examine the ontological argument for the existence. The ontological argument for the existence of god genius. Reason and belief in god alvin plantinga belief in god is the heart and center of the christian religion as it is of judaism and islam. The prize is typically awarded to people who are credited with bridging the gap between religion and science. So, for example, there is a possible world in which i am able to execute dazzling slam dunks and a possible world in which i am lucky to make a basket at all. Plantinga and taylor did a fine job compiling parts of famous philosophical works that reflect the ontological argument, both for and against it. An ontological argument is a philosophical argument, made from an ontological basis, that is. Strengths nature of argument, a priori, deductive and analytical reductio ad absurdum descartes, norman malcolm and alvin plantinga. Alvin plantinga is professor of philosophy at the university of notre dame, and is thought by many to be the most interesting philosopher of religion writing today. Plantinga on the free will defense hugh lafollette. This essay critically examines plantinga s rendition, uncovering both its strengths and weaknesses.
Plantingas text is both a record of alvin plantingas going through the argument for his own case and an invitation to each of his readers to go through the same argument mutatis mutandis for his or her own case. In his absorbing new book, where the conflict really lies, alvin plantinga, a distinguished analytic philosopher known for. Is the modal ontological argument for god a sound proof. The relevance of kants objection to anselms ontological argument. Obrien professor of philosophy at the university of notre dame. Ontological arguments are arguments, for the conclusion that god exists, from premises which are supposed to derive from some source other than observation of the worlde. This book discusses and exemplifies the philosophy of religion, or philosophical reflection on central. Plantinga reformulated it in terms of the possible worlds semantics. Abstract of an apa symposium paper, commenting on alvin plantinga. Thus gods existence is either impossible or necessary. Plantinga examines where this conflict is said to existlooking at areas such as evolution, divine action in the world, and the scientific study of religionand he considers claims by. Plantinga joshua rasmussen forthcoming in ontological arguments, ed.
Kants objections, plantinga s reply gregory robson, duke university i. A critique of the plantinga version of the modal ontological argument 2016 by arnold t. Malcolm, and alvin plantinga, have utilized modal logic to develop new versions of the on tological argument. Living legend alvin plantinga was recently a guest on unbelievable with justin brierley. The following video explains alvin plantingas modal ontological argument where the. Alvin plantinga proof and belief in god the reformed. By taking existence in reality to be a greatmaking property and god to be the greatest possible being, plantinga skillfully presents anselms ontological argument. Plantinga basically uses a possible world analysis. This book so small that you can fit it in your back pocket. There are also the claims that crucial christian doctrinestrinity, incarnation, or atonement, for. Kants objections, plantingas reply gregory robson, duke university i.
Plantingas fundamental error is in assuming that philosophy is about things. International journal for philosophy of religion 65, no. Alvin plantingas modal version is perhaps the most notable example. In other words, ontological arguments are arguments from what are typically alleged to be none but analytic, a priori and necessary premises to the. For more videos and information from alvin plantinga for more videos on arguing gods existence click here when s. Plantinga is one of the most respected and influential philosophers today. Plantingas defence of the ontological argument michael tooley in chapter io of his book, the nature of necessity, alvin plantinga contends that although many versions of the ontological argument are unsound, there is at least one that is valid, and whose premises may reasonably be accepted. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link. God exists in the understanding but not in reality. I present a sound modal version of the ontological argument for the existence of god. Of course christians may disagree, at least in emphasis, as to how to think of god. In my presentation of the argument, i will go through the argument for my own case.
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