Edward Feser | The Ben Shapiro Show Sunday Special Ep. 17
Sep 2, 2018
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Edward Feser, a renowned philosopher specializing in the existence of God and critiques of atheism, dives into compelling arguments supporting God's logical proof. He discusses the rise of atheism and the decline of religious popularity, exploring the moral implications of a society detached from religious morals. Feser highlights the transition from atheism to philosophical inquiry, unpacks the attributes of a necessary being, and critiques the limitations of human reason in addressing existence and morality.
Edward Feser argues that logical proofs of God's existence, like Aristotle's 'unmoved mover,' provide compelling reasons for theism.
The podcast discusses the rise of atheism and its potential implications on the rational foundations of morality and human reasoning.
Feser contends that the decline of classical philosophy has contributed to modern relativism and moral confusion in society.
Deep dives
The Transition from Atheism to Theism
The speaker shares their journey from being a Catholic to becoming an atheist during their college years, influenced by philosophical works of skeptics like Nietzsche and Hume. Initially, drawn to popular skepticism and philosophical rebellion against traditional beliefs, their experience teaching philosophy led to a reevaluation of the arguments for God's existence. While exploring these arguments in greater depth, they recognized that many objections were based on misunderstandings or straw man versions of traditional positions. This led to a gradual reassessment of their views, culminating in a return to theism as they found the arguments more compelling than initially thought.
Aristotle's Proof for the Existence of God
One of the central arguments presented for the existence of God is Aristotle's concept of the 'unmoved mover,' which posits that change in the universe requires an ultimately unchanging source. The argument begins with the observation of change, noting that potentiality becomes actualized through an already actualized state. Aristotle argues that a series of changes cannot extend infinitely backward without reaching a foundational cause that is purely actual and unchangeable, which he considers God. This unmoved mover, existing outside of time and space and fully actual, serves as the necessary basis for all movement and change in the universe.
The Principle of Sufficient Reason
The discussion of God's existence also includes Leibniz's principle of sufficient reason, which asserts that everything that exists must have an explanation for its existence. This perspective challenges the notion of brute facts without explanations, asserting that a necessary being must exist to provide the ultimate explanation for why anything exists at all. Leibniz distinguishes between contingent beings that could exist differently and a necessary being that could not fail to exist. This necessary being, which offers the ultimate explanation of existence, is analogous to the traditional conception of God.
Critique of Atheism's Coherency
The critique of atheism centers on the idea that it undermines the rational foundations of morality and reason itself, leading to self-defeating positions. The speaker argues that if one accepts that the universe fundamentally lacks intelligibility or coherent explanations, then human reasoning loses its objectivity and purpose. Consequently, any argument for atheism, grounded in a rejection of God, cannot be tenable without invoking the very rationality it attempts to dismiss. By contrast, a theistic framework preserves the intelligibility and rationality of human thought, guiding the construction of a moral and meaningful life.
The Role of Philosophy in Western Values
The conversation culminates in an analysis of the decline of traditional Western values, attributed largely to the abandonment of classical philosophy, particularly Aristotle's works. The speaker asserts that the unravelling of these philosophical foundations has contributed to modern society's drift toward relativism and materialism. Without the grounding provided by classical thought, the fabric of moral and ethical understanding has weakened, leading to confusion regarding human dignity and rights. The speaker advocates for a return to these philosophical roots to regain clarity in discussions of morality and purpose in life.
Philosopher Edward Feser says there is a logical proof of God. Listen as he proves God's existence, discusses the rise of atheism, and explains why the popularity of religion is on the decline.
