For, in my judgment, there is no presentation of the ontological argument that is as carefully developed, forceful, and clear as plantingas formulation and discussion of the argument on 3 ibid. It also makes use of the clause in nagasawas article, namely that since. Anselm, but i find it even more obviously tautological. Alvin plantingas surprisingly deflationary take on his own. Sep 01, 2015 a presentation of the oa from alvin plantinga. Alvin plantingas modal version is perhaps the most. Alvin plantinga, professor of philosophy at notre dame, is an expert in this. Nonetheless, plantinga s version has generated much interest and discussion. Alvin plantinga challenged this argument and proposed an alternative, based on modal logic.
Alvin plantinga on a version of the ontological argument. William lane craig considers alvin plantingas version of the ontological argument as having the best chance of being cogent wlc 2004, p. I have to say, i think several of the objections presented against the ontological argument basically miss the mark. A more recent ontological argument came from kurt godel, who proposed a formal argument for gods existence. What was particularly intetesting was seeing alvin plantinga s rebuttal of the argument he would later come to support, although only after tweaking it which i think has really transormed it and is the most convincing form of it that ive ever read. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Refuting plantingas victorious ontological argument. Instead i shall stick to malcolms exposition of this hitherto unnoticed version of the ontological argument, hoping to show that the argument is invalid and that its conclusion that gods existence is logically necessary is false.
The show was classic plantinga clear analysis, dry wit, admirable humility and surveyed some of the highlights of his impressive career including warrant, proper basicality and christian belief, the evolutionary argument against naturalism, and the ontological argument. Norman malcolm revived the ontological argument in 1960 when he located a second, stronger ontological argument in anselms work. Has plantinga buried mackies logical argument from evil. Thus, keeping the ontological argument alive for 900 years. If something is possible, they say in a possible world there exists x. Living legend alvin plantinga was recently a guest on unbelievable with justin brierley. God, freedom, and evil kindle edition by plantinga, alvin.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Hartshorne 5, david lewis 9, alvin plantinga 16 and kurt godel 4 have either. If, in an identical proposition, we reject the predicate while retaining the subject. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga download bok. Plantinga developed his modal version of the ontological argument for the existence of god in. In other words, ontological arguments are arguments from what are typically alleged to be none but analytic, a priori and necessary premises to the. Reassessing plantingas ontological argument for god. Here, plantinga attempted to use the philosophical concept of possible worlds to show the necessary nature of gods existence. Few people, i should think, have been brought to belief in god. The work of this quintessential analytic philosopher has in many respects set the tone for the debate in the fields of modal metaphysics and epistemology and he is arguably the most important philosopher of. To consider this general argument, plantinga selects one particular version offered by j.
Plantingas defence of the ontological argument michael tooley in chapter io of his book, the nature of necessity, alvin plantinga contends that although many versions of the ontological argument are unsound, there is at least one that is valid, and. The ontological argument alvin plantinga 1 the third theistic argument i wish to discuss is the famous ontological argument first formulated by anselm of canterbury in the eleventh century. The author concludes that while the argument is probably formally valid, it is ultimately unsound. God exists in the understanding but not in reality. Plantinga on the free will defense hugh lafollette. Knowledge of god great debates in philosophy alvin. I wish to discuss professor malcolms absorbingly powerful defense of a version of anselms ontological proof for the existence of god. Alvin plantinga s modal version is perhaps the most notable example. Alvin plantinga is held by many to be the greatest living christian philosopher, and has made immense contributions to various areas of.
The second part of the book is plantinga s presentation of the ontological argument for the existence of god. The prize is typically awarded to people who are credited with bridging the gap between religion and science. The author concludes that while the argument is probably. The work of this quintessential analytic philosopher has in many respects set the tone for the debate in the fields of modal metaphysics and epistemology and he is arguably the most important philosopher of religion of our time. Alvin plantinga at mayo clinic in rochester, minnesota.
Few thinkers have had as much impact on contemporary philosophy as has alvin plantinga. His father, cornelius, was then a philosophy graduate student at the university of michigan. Contemporary philosophers such as charles hartshorne, norman malcolm, and alvin plantinga, have utilized modal logic to develop new versions of the on tological argument. Alvin plantinga was born 15 november 1932 in ann arbor, michigan. Alvin plantingas surprisingly deflationary take on his. However, since he proves gods existence by virtue of a premise, god a maximally great being is a possible being, that is true only if god. Alvin plantinga the ontological argument page 315 1. The following video explains alvin plantingas modal ontological argument where the word modal refers to notions of possibility. A critique of the plantinga version of the modal ontological. Carmona as sort of a reply to the article i posted earlier, i have decided to present chapter 4 of my book philosophical atheism in full. Many arguments fall under the category of the ontological, and they tend to involve arguments about the state of being or existing. For more videos and information from alvin plantinga for more videos on arguing gods existence click here when s.
His modal version of the argument is in some ways more refined than the classic version of st. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga details trove. Plantinga is one of the most respected and influential philosophers today. Is the modal ontological argument for god a sound proof. For a critical account of verificationism see plantinga, god and other minds, chap.
Malcolm, and alvin plantinga, have utilized modal logic to develop new versions of the on tological argument. Plantinga examines where this conflict is said to existlooking at areas such as evolution, divine action in the world, and the. This is the basic idea of modal ontological analysis. In it, im clearly on plantingas side, and i think his work in that area represents a crucial contribution to philosophy of religion and to epistemology. Alvin carl plantinga born 1932 is an american analytic philosopher who works primarily in the fields of philosophy of religion, epistemology particularly on issues involving epistemic justification, and logic. Plantinga was born on november 15, 1932, in ann arbor, michigan, to cornelius a. Plantinga basically uses a possible world analysis. In the actual world i am writing up this blog post, but i could have decided instead to go pour myself a scotch. Alvin plantinga alvin plantinga seeks to modify malcolms argument with what are called possible world semantics. In his discussion of natural theology arguments to prove the existence of god and natural atheology arguments for the falsehood of theistic belief plantinga focuses on two of the traditional arguments. Sep 28, 2017 living legend alvin plantinga was recently a guest on unbelievable with justin brierley. Consequently, the modal ontological argument is a logical argument, but not an ontological argument in the sense of having any existential relevance. Plantinga examines where this conflict is said to existlooking at areas such as evolution, divine action in the world, and the scientific study of religionand he considers claims by. In the first half on natural atheology, he addresses the socalled problem of evil, while part 2 addresses very briefly aquinas cosmological argument and paleys teleological argument, followed by a more indepth look at anselms ontological argument.
Plantingas father was a firstgeneration immigrant, born in the netherlands. This argument for the existence of god has fascinated philosophers ever since anselm first stated it. More specifically, ontological arguments tend to start with a priori theory about the organization of the universe. Jun 07, 2010 plantinga on dualism im in the process of writing the next podcast episode on alvin plantinga and his arguments around the idea of belief in god as a properly basic belief. Apr 23, 2014 the ontological argument has a long history st. As is typically done, we might think of a possible world as a complete way that things might have been. God, freedom, and evil kindle edition by plantinga.
Guminski examines the modal ontological argument based upon possible worlds semantics expounded by alvin plantinga and further developed and defended by william lane craig. The most prominent modern advocate of the ontological argument is alvin plantinga. There are also the claims that crucial christian doctrinestrinity, incarnation, or atonement, for. An explicit contradiction, says plantinga, is a conjunctive proposition, one conjunct of which is the denial or negation of the other conjunct. Malcolm, and alvin plantinga, have utilized modal logic to. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga free download as pdf file. An ontological argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of god that uses ontology. Alvin plantinga on the ontological argument springerlink.
Plantingas fundamental error is in assuming that philosophy is about things. This essay critically examines plantinga s rendition, uncovering both its strengths and weaknesses. Apr 25, 2019 god, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga free download as pdf file. A critique of the plantinga version of the modal ontological argument 2016 by arnold t. What was particularly intetesting was seeing alvin plantingas rebuttal of the argument he would later come to support, although only after tweaking it which i think has really transormed it and is the most convincing form of it that ive ever read. In short, the prize goes to people who labor valiantly to make religion appear reasonable. Alvin plantinga, have even judged kants dictum to be totally irrelevant to. The relevance of kants objection to anselms ontological argument. This is the way some philosophers seek to represent logical possibilities. A longawaited major statement by preeminent analytic philosopher alvin plantinga, where the conflict really lies illuminates one of our societys biggest debatesthe conflict between science and religion. Thats the question at the heart of this volume in the great debates in philosophy series, with alvin plantinga and michael tooley each addressing this fundamental question with distinctive arguments from opposing perspectives. Davis claremont mckenna college alvin plantinga is one of the top christian philosophers in the world today. Anselm of canterbury used a version of the argument in the 11th century ad, but it has its modern defenders as well. Aug 23, 2019 god, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga free download as pdf file.
Ontological arguments stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The ontological argument for the existence of god has enjoyed a recent renaissance among philosophers of religion. Today, well begin with alvin plantinga s modal ontological argument for god. Alvin plantingas properly basic belief religion refuted. Themes from richard swinburne, bergmann and brower, eds. This book discusses and exemplifies the philosophy of religion, or philosophical reflection on central.
History of ontological arguments for existence of god, from anselm, kant, malcolm, findlay to. Professor malcolm believes that in anselms proslogion and. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. The following video explains alvin plantinga s modal ontological argument where the word modal refers to notions of possibility. Norman malcolm and alvin plantinga have all presented muchdiscussed ontological arguments which bear interesting connections to the earlier arguments of st. Articles 2016 law, cause, and occasionalism, in reason and faith. Plantingas version of the ontological argument is seen as the most updated and formidable.
Plantinga on the free will defense 125 tological proof, the atheist can, as even plantinga admits, successfully revise 2 to say. A classic work in the philosophy of religion, plantingas god, freedom, and evil is the single most influential text on the problem of evil in the past fifty years. William lane craig considers alvin plantinga s version of the ontological argument as having the best chance of being cogent wlc 2004, p. An ontological argument for the existence of good core. No philosophical argument for the existence of god, can be initiated with a definition of god.
The first half of the book contains each philosophers explanation of his particular view. Plantinga s modal ontological argument includes many of the aspects of anselms original argument but includes various additions and changes. Ontological arguments are arguments, for the conclusion that god exists, from premises which are supposed to derive from some source other than observation of the worlde. Alvin plantinga famously defends a version of the ontological argument that makes use of the notion of possible worlds. The first, and bestknown, ontological argument was proposed by st. Here, plantinga is it seems to me far less persuasive. Kants objection 8 the most famous and important objection to the ontological argument is contained in immanuel kants critique of pure reason.
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