#45 Graham Oppy - Atheism Requires Justification Too
Nov 6, 2023
auto_awesome
Graham Oppy, a well-known atheist thinker, discusses the definition of atheism, the burden of proof, exploring belief through behavior, perspectives on belief and the concept of God, and the process of selecting theories in this thought-provoking podcast.
Discussing atheism is crucial in order to understand and address the ongoing struggles faced by atheists worldwide.
The lack theism position in atheism is challenged due to its potential inconsistency and avoidance of the burden of proof.
Engaging in conversation and providing reasons is necessary for individuals to have a well-thought-out position on atheism, agnosticism, or theism.
Deep dives
Importance of discussing atheism and philosophy of religion
In this podcast episode, Alex O'Connor interviews Graham Oppy, an Australian professor of philosophy, to delve into atheism and its importance in dialogues about God's existence. Oppy highlights that discussing atheism is crucial because most people are religious, and atheism has historically met with resistance. He emphasizes the ongoing struggles faced by atheists worldwide. Oppy also explores his motivation for engaging in philosophy of religion and reaching a wider audience. He delves into the debate surrounding the definition of atheism, questioning the lack theism position and arguing for atheism as the belief that there are no gods.
The Burden of Proof in Theism and Atheism
During the podcast, Oppy and O'Connor discuss the burden of proof in atheism and theism. Oppy argues against the popular notion of lack theism, suggesting that it may be an attempt to avoid the burden of proof. He asserts that atheism is the position that asserts there are no gods, and those who identify as atheists actively reject the existence of gods. Oppy further challenges the coherence of the lack theism position, as it either requires suspending judgment on both the proposition that there are gods and the proposition that there are no gods, or it leads to an inconsistent rejection of both propositions.
Agnosticism, Withholding Judgment, and Burden of Proof
The podcast delves into the concept of agnosticism and its relationship to atheism and theism. Oppy highlights that agnostics may hold different positions, ranging from suspension of judgment to rejecting both the proposition that there are gods and the proposition that there are no gods. Oppy argues that agnostics, like atheists and theists, have the obligation to provide reasons and weigh the relevant considerations. He explains that withholding judgment is a position that also requires defense, and agnostics would need to articulate their view by demonstrating how the balance of considerations neither favors atheism nor theism. Oppy also emphasizes that engaging in the conversation by analyzing and providing reasons is necessary to have a well-thought-out position.
On the nature of belief and behavior
The speaker discusses the different ways of thinking about beliefs, highlighting the challenge of mapping the all-or-nothing conception of belief onto credence conception. They argue that there is no neat way to do this mapping and that someone's belief can fall within a range, making it difficult to label them as a particular category such as an agnostic or atheist. The podcast also explores the idea that beliefs are better revealed by behavior rather than verbal reports. It questions whether there is a common source for both nonverbal and verbal behavior or if they have different sources.
Self-deception and mistaken beliefs
The discussion delves into the possibility of self-deception and mistaken beliefs, particularly in the context of religious beliefs. It examines cases where individuals may behave in ways that contradict their reported beliefs, suggesting that behavior can serve as a better indicator of one's true beliefs. The podcast acknowledges the contentious nature of self-knowledge and self-deception and explores examples where individuals may hold contradictory beliefs due to various factors like desires or grief. It concludes that while it is possible to be mistaken about one's beliefs, determining the veracity of an individual's belief requires careful consideration of behavior and the complex nature of belief itself.
Graham Oppy is Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean of Research at Monash University, CEO of the Australasian Association of Philosophy, Chief Editor of the Australasian Philosophical Review, Associate Editor of the Australasian Journal of Philosophy, and serves on the editorial boards of Philo, Philosopher's Compass, Religious Studies, and Sophia.
He is one of the best known atheist thinkers in academia. You can buy "Atheism: the Basics" here.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
