Parker's Pensées Ep. 173 - David Lewis, Divine Evil, and Plantinga's Ontological Argument w/Dr. Dean Zimmerman
May 31, 2022
Dr. Dean Zimmerman, a Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University, shares insight into his relationship with the renowned philosopher David Lewis. They delve into Lewis's views on divine evil and the challenges it poses for traditional theology. The conversation explores modal realism, emphasizing the complexities of possible worlds and their implications for understanding divine justice. Zimmerman also discusses how philosophical influences shape spiritual journeys, touching on topics like panpsychism and moral dilemmas surrounding eternal punishment.
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Early Philosophical Influences
- Dean Zimmerman was introduced to philosophy through evangelical background figures like Francis Schaeffer and C.S. Lewis.
- These figures opened up the evangelical mind to philosophy despite not being rigorous philosophers.
Friendship with David Lewis
- Dean Zimmerman had a friendly relationship with David Lewis and his wife Steffi, attending gatherings with other Christian philosophers.
- Lewis was shy and disliked small talk but was kind and would occasionally sing Australian drinking songs.
Lewis's Modal Realism Explained
- David Lewis’s modal realism claims all possible worlds are concrete and exist, not abstract.
- This approach allows modal claims to be grounded in concrete existence rather than abstract notions.
