Parker's Pensées  cover image

Parker's Pensées

Ep. 262 - Should God Exist? w/Dr. Brian Ballard

Aug 2, 2024
Dr. Brian Ballard, a scholar at the intersection of theism and value theory, dives into the nuances of protheism and anti-theism, exploring how belief in God shapes human meaning and autonomy. He examines the philosophical implications of God's existence and the complex relationship with morality, contrasting naturalism and theism. The conversation includes discussions on eschatology, antinatalism, and the emotional impact of faith, prompting listeners to reflect on the profound value and purpose derived from theistic beliefs.
01:33:07

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Protheism argues for the desirability of God's existence, emphasizing the intrinsic and extrinsic value it brings to life and morality.
  • The axiology of theism posits that belief in God widens our understanding of life's significance, enriching human experience and moral responsibility.

Deep dives

Defining Protheism and Anti-Theism

Protheism and anti-theism are concepts centered around whether we should desire the existence of God. Protheism posits that there are compelling reasons to want God to exist due to the inherent value and meaning it would provide to life, while anti-theism argues against this, suggesting a preference for a godless reality. The discussion revolves not around the factual existence of God but rather the implications and moral considerations tied to his existence. Understanding these concepts allows for deeper philosophical inquiry into the value we assign to existence and morality itself.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode