
Majesty of Reason Philosophy Podcast
A podcast that explains, analyzes, and evaluates philosophical issues. Buckle up for philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and philosophy of time.
Latest episodes

Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 16min
12 Design Arguments: An Analysis | (MoR No. 93)
From the complexity of the biological world to the fine-tuning of the universe, design arguments are among the most powerful arguments for God's existence. In this video, I assess 12 such arguments.
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NOTES
(1) There are several responses to fine-tuning arguments (FTAs) that I didn't mention in the video. The reason is because I simply haven't researched them in enough depth to have a strong view on them. For instance: (a) some philosophers mount the multiverse hypothesis in response to FTAs; (b) some philosophers and scientists question whether there even is fine-tuning; (c) some philosophers and scientists argue that FTAs suffer from the problem of non-normalizable probability measures; and (d) some philosophers and scientists argue that FTAs suffer from the the problem of old evidence. I haven't adequately researched these to have views on them. (My research focus lies more in cosmological and ontological arguments -- sorry!)
(2) Philip Goff has recently argued (in Scientific American and Capturing Christianity) that the multiverse objection to the FTA commits the inverse gamblers fallacy. I don't think this is correct for several of the reasons spelled out in philosopher Neil Manson's recent Philosophy Compass article on the multiverse, FTA, and the inverse gambler's fallacy [here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KWsP... ]. James Fodor also discusses Goff's criticism in a recent video [here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQxCZ... ].
More generally, I highly recommend Neil Manson's work criticizing the FTA. You can find his papers at https://philpeople.org/profiles/neil-...
(3) I don't think the objection to FTAs appealing simply to the observation selection effect works. This is why I didn't discuss this objection in the video.
(4) A perceptive viewer of my original video raised an objection (in personal correspondence) to my/Manson's criticism of FTAs concerning the near-infinitude of ways God could actualize the good of conscious, moral beings without a finely

Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 44min
What is Fundamental with Dr. Paul Draper & Dr. Josh Rasmussen | (MoR No. 92)
Is anything fundamental? If so, what is fundamental reality like? Is it necessary? Conscious? Perfect? I'm joined by Paul Draper and Josh Rasmussen to discuss these questions and more.
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LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 28, 2022 • 4h 37min
10k AMA Answers! | (MoR No. 91)
You asked hundreds of questions, and I answered!
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LINKS
Preface to my forthcoming Springer book: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K...
My 3k AMA Answers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QRt...
My website: https://www.josephschmid.com
My PhilPapers Profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 26min
11 Ontological Arguments: An Analysis | (MoR No. 89)
From Anselm to Descartes to Pruss and Nagasawa, ontological arguments have captivated philosophers and laity alike. In this video, I analyze eleven such arguments for God's existence.
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RESOURCES
100+ Argument Resource Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q...
LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 20min
Responding to Dr. Chad McIntosh on my 12-Hour Video | (MoR No. 88)
Chad McIntosh recently criticized my 12-hour-long video as "unfair", "academically lazy", and "poor form". In this video, I explain why these allegations are mistaken -- and ironically so.
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RESOURCES
Over 100 Arguments for God ANSWERED: https://youtu.be/iP0Mh42jvV4
Resources for Answering 100+ Arguments for God: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q...
@Furthering Christendom's video: https://youtu.be/0Dueky7E9HE
LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...
THANKS
Many thanks to Cameron Bertuzzi for helping design the thumbnail!
And, as always, thanks to my patrons for their undying love and support.

Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 43min
Graham Oppy responds to Josh Rasmussen's Ontological Argument | (MoR No. 87)
Josh Rasmussen recently defended a Gödelian-style ontological argument at @Capturing Christianity's CCv1 conference. In this video, Graham Oppy joins me to respond to Josh's argument.
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RESOURCES
Over 100 Arguments for God ANSWERED: https://youtu.be/iP0Mh42jvV4
Oppy (2017), "The Ontological Arguments", link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y2cb...
Oppy (2019), SEP entry on Ontological Arguments: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/on...
Oppy (1995), “Ontological Arguments and Belief in God”, link: https://www.amazon.com/Ontological-Ar...
Oppy's (2018) edited collection, “Ontological Arguments”, link: https://www.amazon.com/Ontological-Ar...
LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 2h 36min
20 Cosmological Arguments: An Analysis | (MoR No. 86)
From Aquinas to Leibniz to Pruss and Rasmussen, cosmological arguments have a long and formidable pedigree. I this video, I analyze twenty such arguments for God's existence.
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RESOURCES
100+ Argument Resource Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q...
LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 46min
What has Cameron learned from @Capturing Christianity | (MoR No. 85)
In this in-person interview, I chat with Cameron Bertuzzi about five dimensions along which he's grown since starting his YouTube channel.
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LINKS
Cam's channel is, obviously, @Capturing Christianity
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 11h 56min
Over 100 Arguments for God ANSWERED | (MoR No. 84)
@Capturing Christianity and Dr. Chad McIntosh created a video covering 150+ arguments for God's existence. Here's my take on the arguments. Buckle up for some juicy philosophy.
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RESOURCES
Every resource mentioned in the video is found in here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q...
LINKS
My website: https://josephschmid.com
My PhilPeople profile: https://philpeople.org/profiles/josep...

Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 4min
Pantheism vs. The Kalam Cosmological Argument | (MoR No. 83)
Dive into the intriguing clash of pantheism versus the Kalam cosmological argument! Explore a thought experiment involving a glowing orb that questions our understanding of existence. Delve into the design argument, pondering the nature of God from various perspectives. The conversation spirals into rethinking causality and infinity, highlighted by Hilbert's Hotel. Reflect on how collective experiences shape identity and the essence of meaning in art versus divinity. It's a philosophical rollercoaster challenging the necessity of invoking God in reality!