Ep. 216 - Existential Inertia vs. Feser's 5 Proofs for God's Existence w/Joe Schmid
Jan 18, 2023
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Joe Schmid, co-author of "Existential Inertia and Classical Theistic Proofs," dives deep into the philosophical nuances of existential inertia and its implications for the existence of God. He explores the historical roots of the concept, discussing how persistence and metaphysical perspectives shape our understanding of divine intervention. The conversation also covers Neoplatonic arguments for a non-composite first cause and critiques various proofs for God's existence. With engaging banter, they simplify complex ideas, making philosophy accessible and thought-provoking.
Existential inertia proposes that some entities can persist independently without requiring an external sustaining cause, challenging traditional causation views.
The podcast highlights a significant lack of academic literature on existential inertia, motivating the authors' comprehensive exploration of the topic in their new book.
By critiquing classical theistic arguments, the podcast asserts that the assumption of external causes for all contingent beings is fundamentally flawed.
The discussion raises important questions about the nature of divinity, positioning existential inertia within contemporary debates in metaphysics and religious philosophy.
Deep dives
Introduction of Existential Inertia
Existential inertia is introduced as a key concept in contemporary philosophical discussions, particularly in the context of classical theism. The argument suggests that certain entities can persist in existence without the requirement of an external sustaining cause. This position challenges the traditional view that all contingent beings must have an external cause to maintain their existence. By establishing that some entities can exist independently, the concept opens up new dialogues around metaphysical persistence and existence.
The Book's Purpose and Scholarly Need
The discussion emphasizes the pressing scholarly need for literature addressing existential inertia and classical theistic proofs. The authors state that there is a notable lack of academic work specifically focusing on existential inertia, with only a handful of papers published on the topic. This deficiency in the literature motivates the creation of the book, which aims to explore these philosophical arguments systematically. By analyzing key philosophical proofs, the book seeks to fill this gap and respond to contemporary debates within the discipline.
Challenges to Classical Theistic Arguments
The book critically examines several classical theistic arguments, including Aquinas’ Five Ways, highlighting how they rely on concepts of sustaining causes. A central point of contention is that these arguments often assume that contingent beings must have external causes to exist. By introducing existential inertia, the authors argue that this assumption is flawed. The claim is made that contingent entities can persist without external influences, which has significant implications for the validity of classical theistic arguments.
Exploration of Persistence Arguments
Persistence arguments are detailed throughout the discussion, framed as a series of premises leading to conclusions about existence and causation. The essential structure of these arguments suggests that if contingent beings require sustenance, then there must be a first cause. Existential inertia challenges this by asserting that some entities exist without the need for ongoing external sustenance. This perspective reshapes the framework through which classical theistic proofs are traditionally understood.
Critique of Key Philosophical Proofs
The authors undertake a critique of several specific proofs often used to argue for classical theism, including the Aristotelian proof and the Thomistic proof. They assert that these arguments rest on the assumption that existence must be derived from an external cause. Existential inertia serves to counter this assumption, positing that it's possible for entities to exist independently. This reassessment of traditional proofs leads to renewed questions about the nature of causation and the characteristics of existence itself.
Philosophical Discussions of God and Existence
In evaluating the relationship between God and existence, the authors delve into broader philosophical implications of existential inertia. They consider the idea of a transcendent God versus a more immanent deity and how these perspectives influence debates on classical theism. The book discusses whether the divine essence can be understood as existing independently of contingent realities, raising questions about the nature of divinity and existence. This exploration invites readers to reconsider what constitutes a necessary being and the implications for classical theological frameworks.
Relevance to Contemporary Philosophy
The book positions existential inertia within contemporary philosophical debates, making it relevant to discussions of metaphysics, time, and religious philosophy. The authors call for further exploration and research on the implications of existential inertia for understanding existence and causation in both a philosophical and theological context. By bridging divides between differing perspectives on existence, existential inertia offers a fresh lens through which to view longstanding debates. This relevance garners interest from both classical theists and non-classical theists, reflecting its potential impact on the field.
In this episode of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined once again by Joe Schmid. This time to discuss his new book, Existential Inertia and Classical Theistic Proofs.
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