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The Thomistic Institute
Is Atheism Rational? | Prof. John O'Callaghan
Feb 4, 2025
John O'Callaghan, Director Emeritus of the Jacques Maritain Center at Notre Dame and a member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas, shares his insights on atheism. He examines the philosophical roots of atheism, contrasting it with divine revelation. O'Callaghan delves into Aquinas's view that without divine insight, God’s existence isn’t easily grasped by reason alone. He highlights the historical evolution of atheism and emphasizes the need for compassion from believers to bridge divides, fostering respectful dialogue between belief systems.
59:47
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Quick takeaways
- Atheism contains elements of truth, thus framing it as a legitimate intellectual stance rather than merely a denial of religion.
- The perceived failure of Christians to embody their professed values of mercy and compassion reinforces atheism's rationality in societal views.
Deep dives
Atheism and Rationality
Atheism is rational, as it contains elements of truth, and no intellectual position that holds any truth can be deemed irrational. The argument begins by establishing that to be rational, a belief must incorporate some level of truth. In asserting this premise, it is recognized that there exists a truth within atheism, which leads to the conclusion that atheism cannot be entirely irrational. This perspective enables a nuanced understanding of atheism as a legitimate intellectual stance rather than a mere denial of religious beliefs.
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