Does God Exist? Defending the Divine Based on Reason | Prof. Alexander Pruss
Jul 3, 2020
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In this insightful discussion, Alexander Pruss, a Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University with expertise in metaphysics and philosophy of religion, explores the intersection of reason and faith in understanding God's existence. He articulates compelling arguments for the necessity of a first cause to avoid infinite regress. Engaging thought experiments challenge listeners to rethink infinity's implications on causation and existence. The conversation also addresses the principle of sufficient reason and how it informs our understanding of randomness and morality.
The podcast critically examines the misconception that belief in God's existence is solely based on faith, highlighting the rational discourse surrounding this topic.
Prof. Pruss discusses the cosmological argument, emphasizing the necessity of a first uncaused cause to avoid the pitfalls of infinite regress in causation.
The principle of sufficient reason is introduced, underscoring that every event must have an explanation, which underscores the quest for a necessary first cause.
Deep dives
Faith and Reason in Understanding God
The belief that the existence of God is purely a matter of faith, devoid of reason, is examined critically. Many individuals on both sides of the belief spectrum contend that the existence of God can be rationally debated. The New Testament supports this notion, suggesting that one's faith and the divine nature can be perceived through the observation of creation, indicating that understanding and exploring matters related to faith may involve rational discourse. This perspective opens a pathway for dialogue between believers and atheists, as both can engage in the reasoning regarding the existence of a higher power.
The Cosmological Argument Explored
The cosmological argument for the existence of God is introduced, tracing its roots back to historical philosophers like Thomas Aquinas and medieval Islamic thinkers. At its core, the argument posits that existence cannot be explained by an infinite chain of causes, prompting the need for a first cause that itself is uncaused. The absence of an infinite regress necessitates this first cause, which many philosophers assert must be God. This reasoning aims to create a common understanding for both atheists and theists to discuss the properties of this first cause.
Challenges of Infinite Causation
Various thought experiments illustrate the paradoxes that arise from the notion of infinite causation, highlighting difficulties in conceiving an actual infinite series causing specific effects. Examples such as the infinite lottery and the Green Reaper paradox reveal how accepting an infinite causal chain can lead to contradictions. These paradoxes call into question not just the mechanism of causation, but also whether an infinite regress of causes can exist at all. By arguing for causal finitism, the point is made that infinite causation not only complicates understanding but also undermines the rationale for believing in a universe governed by unending causal chains.
Principle of Sufficient Reason
The principle of sufficient reason posits that everything that happens must have an explanation, asserting its significance in philosophical discourse. The question of whether events can occur without cause is pivotal, as it challenges the framework of reason and explanation in our understanding of the universe. If events can lack explanations, it disrupts the basis for probability and predictive reasoning, making it difficult to rationalize real-world phenomena. The principle thus roots the exploration of existence and causation in a quest for coherent explanations, reinforcing the need for a first cause.
Exploring the Nature of the First Cause
In concluding discussions about the first cause, attributes such as necessity and perfection are ascribed to this cause, indicative of its divine nature. The arguments assert that the first cause could not be merely an arbitrary or contingent entity, as every other object in the universe is. Instead, it is characterized as having to exist — a necessary being beyond the confines of physical reality, which itself is contingent. This characterization encourages dialogue on the nature of God, suggesting that despite differing beliefs about his properties, the shared recognition of a first cause could unify disparate philosophical perspectives.
This lecture was presented by the campus chapter of the Thomistic Institute at Stanford University on October 4, 2019.
Prof. Alexander Pruss has doctorates both in philosophy and mathematics, and is currently Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University. His books include "The Principle of Sufficient Reason: A Reassessment" (Cambridge University Press), "One Body: An Essay in Christian Sexual Ethics" (Notre Dame University Press), and "Actuality, Possibility and Worlds" (Continuum). His research areas include metaphysics, philosophy of religion, Christian ethics, philosophy of mathematics and formal epistemology.
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