CC154: DOES GOD EXIST? Trent Horn vs. Ben Watkins (live, in-person debate)
Aug 31, 2021
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Trent Horn, a philosopher and Catholic apologist, debated Ben Watkins on whether God exists. They discussed the argument for God's existence, debated evidence and probability, explored the nature of good and bad, and examined the role of metaphysics. They also discussed the nature of pain and personhood, miracles, and the moral status of human persons. The speakers reflected on the debate and presented arguments that undermine naturalism.
Naturalism is a simpler and more coherent worldview compared to classical theism.
The existence of imperfections contradicts the concept of a perfect creator.
A completely unchanging being cannot possess true freedom.
Multiple objections challenge the premises and conclusions of Trent's cosmological arguments.
The privation theory of evil fails to account for the negative nature of pain and depression.
Deep dives
Naturalism has higher prior probability than theism
The argument from simplicity asserts that naturalism is more coherent and modest than theism, making it a simpler explanation with a higher prior probability.
Imperfections in the universe are evidence against theism
The argument from imperfection challenges the idea that a perfect being would create an imperfect universe, suggesting that the existence of imperfections contradicts the concept of a perfect creator.
God's immutability is incompatible with perfect freedom
The argument from freedom highlights the incompatibility between God's immutability and perfect freedom, arguing that a completely unchanging being cannot possess true freedom.
Objections to Trent's cosmological arguments
Multiple objections are raised against Trent's cosmological arguments, including issues of sustaining causation, quantifier shift fallacy, and modal collapse. These objections challenge the premises and conclusions of Trent's arguments.
Privation theory of evil is problematic
The privation theory of evil is subjected to critiques, including the problem of the missing good and the triviality objection. These criticisms question the coherence and practical implications of the theory.
Pain is a distinct phenomenological experience that is positively evil
The podcast discusses how pain is not simply the absence of pleasure, but a distinct negative experience.
The evil of pain and depression is morally indistinguishable from unconsciousness
The podcast argues that the privation theory of evil fails to account for the negative nature of pain and depression, as they are intrinsically evil and not just a lack of good.
A perfect world would resemble heaven
The podcast suggests that a perfect world, created by a perfect creator, would resemble heaven, a place where the greatest goods are attainable and significant freedom is not necessary.
Naturalism's Coherence and Simplicity
Naturalism is a simpler and more coherent worldview compared to classical theism. It does not require the postulation of a perfect being or a complex metaphysical foundation. It offers a more modest and coherent explanation of the nature of reality.
The Argument from Imperfection
The argument from imperfection presents several probabilistic claims that challenge the existence of a perfect being. It argues that the presence of evil, both specific and evolutionary, is more compatible with naturalism than theism. Naturalism can better account for non-resistant non-theists and addresses the problem of freedom in a way that classical theism cannot.
On August 27, 2021 at 7pm Central, Benjamin Blake Speed Watkins debated Trent Horn ( @The Counsel of Trent ) on the topic of whether God exists. This was a live, in-person, formal debate happening only at the CCv1 Conference.
DEBATE FORMAT
15-min Openings
7-min First Rebuttal
4-min Second Rebuttal
30-min Moderated Dialogue
30-min Q&A (2 min response/1 min counter-response)
5-min Closings
Link to the YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTPwaU3JAU8
Our Website: www.capturingchristianity.com
Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/capturingchristianity
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