Alvin plantingas surprisingly deflationary take on his. Norman malcolm revived the ontological argument in 1960 when he located a second, stronger ontological argument in anselms work. For more videos and information from alvin plantinga for more videos on arguing gods existence click here when s. William lane craig considers alvin plantingas version of the ontological argument as having the best chance of being cogent wlc 2004, p. Considering david bentley harts argument against hell. The author concludes that while the argument is probably formally valid, it is ultimately unsound. Has plantinga buried mackies logical argument from evil. His modal ontological argument for foundational religious necessity is seen as an almost. Kants refutation of the ontological argument, though i believe that. Alvin plantinga god freedom and evil alvin plantinga as recognized, adventure as capably. This essay critically examines plantinga s modal version. This paper presents the special issue on formal approaches to the ontological argument and briefly introduces the ontological argument from the standpoint of logic and philosophy of religion more. Alvin plantinga is held by many to be the greatest living christian philosopher, and has made immense contributions to various areas of. An introduction to alvin plantinga s modal ontological argument.
This essay critically examines plantinga s rendition, uncovering both its strengths and weaknesses. Plantinga is widely known for his work in philosophy of religion, epistemology, metaphysics and christian apologetics. This book discusses and exemplifies the philosophy of religion, or philosophical reflection on central. Alvin plantinga on a version of the ontological argument. Alvin plantinga s freewill defense is a logical argument developed by the american analytic philosopher alvin plantinga and published in its final version in his 1977 book god, freedom, and evil. 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 whose premises may reasonably be accepted. Anselm, plantinga and the ontological argument springerlink. Philosophy genius editors the ontological argument for the. No philosophical argument for the existence of god, can be initiated with a definition of god, because god is not within human experience. In what follows, i shall be concerned with some of the comments made by alvin plantinga on a version of the ontological argument for the existence of god in chapters two and three of his workgod and other minds cornell. God, freedom, and evil kindle edition by plantinga. Alvin plantinga is regarded as one of the foremost religious philosophers of the contemporary era. Here, plantinga attempted to use the philosophical concept of possible worlds to show the necessary nature of gods existence.
What is the best refutation of plantingas modal ontological. Divine justice, sinful humanity, and eschatological judgment. 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 from 1963 to 1982, plantinga taught at calvin university before accepting an appointment as the john a. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga details trove. I love the way you try to play the same dramatics with plantingas ontological argument. I have to say, i think several of the objections presented against the ontological argument basically miss the mark. 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. An introduction to alvin plantingas modal ontological argument. Perhaps the most challenging formulation of the argument is presented today by alvin plantinga. Most forms of the ontological argument rely on the premise that existence is greater than nonexistence, or that necessary existence is greater than conditional 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. Ontological arguments stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Alvin plantingas modal version is perhaps the most notable example. 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. The relevance of kants objection to anselms ontological argument. 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. Philosophy genius editors the ontological argument for.
Alvin plantinga at mayo clinic in rochester, minnesota. Gods presence within henrys phenomenology of life mdpi. Obrien professor of philosophy emeritus at the university of notre dame and the inaugural holder of the jellema chair in philosophy at calvin college. 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 actually exists. Reassessing plantingas ontological argument for god. I shall, in the course of this paper, talk of the instantiation of. History of ontological arguments for existence of god, from anselm, kant, malcolm, findlay to.
Hartshorne 5, david lewis 9, alvin plantinga 16 and kurt godel 4 have either. Plantinga s argument is a defense against the logical problem of evil as formulated by the philosopher j. The following video explains alvin plantinga s modal ontological argument where the word modal refers to notions of possibility. Alvin plantinga famously defends a version of the ontological argument that makes use of the notion of possible worlds. Plantinga s fundamental error is in assuming that philosophy is about things. This essay critically examines plantingas modal version. Although plantinga cannot remember ever not having been convinced. Alvin plantinga s modal version is perhaps the most notable example. Consequently, the modal ontological argument is a logical argument, but not an ontological argument in the sense of having any existential relevance.
Anselms ontological argument for the existence of god anselms argument is an a priori argument. Is the modal ontological argument for god a sound proof. The first, and bestknown, ontological argument was proposed by st. In the second half, plantinga briefly introduces the cosmological argument and the teleological argument, and then spends the rest of the book on the ontological argument. Alvin plantingas modal version is perhaps the most.
Living legend alvin plantinga was recently a guest on unbelievable with justin brierley. Norman malcolm and alvin plantinga have all presented muchdiscussed ontological arguments which bear interesting connections to the earlier arguments of st. Jun 28, 2009 dean zimmerman and alvin plantinga discuss the ontological argument for the existence of god. The ontological argument for the existence of god has enjoyed a recent renaissance. The second half is dedicated to defending an argument for the existence of god that relies on reason alone, called the ontological argument. Alvin plantingas most popular book is god, freedom, and evil. Jan 17, 2009 on plantingas ontological argument by darrin at 1172009 one of the most curious arguments for the existence of god has been presented by st.
Plantinga examines where this conflict is said to existlooking at areas such as evolution, divine action in the world, and the. Contrary to stereotypes, this did not make young alvin a bookish nerd indeed, he was an enthusiastic participant in high school football, basketball and tennis. After kants, and others, critiques of anselm, most philosophers regarded the ontological argument as. Contemporary defenders of the ontological argument include alvin plantinga, william alston and. The ontological argument for the existence of god has enjoyed a recent renaissance among philosophers of religion. Articles 2016 law, cause, and occasionalism, in reason and faith. An ontological argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of god that uses. 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. Nonetheless, plantinga s version has generated much interest and discussion.
Alvin plantinga challenged this argument and proposed an alternative, based on modal logic. Nonetheless, plantingas version has generated much interest and discussion. A critique of the plantinga version of the modal ontological. Alvin plantingas modal ontological argument posted on january 14, 2014 by logan stewart 4 comments in this video, the modal ontological argument developed by alvin plantinga in his work, the nature of necessity, is explained in easy to understand terms. Dean zimmerman and alvin plantinga discuss the ontological argument for the existence of god.
Davis claremont mckenna college alvin plantinga is one of the top christian philosophers in the world today. Anselms ontological argument for the existence of god. Books by alvin plantinga author of god, freedom, and evil. The following video explains alvin plantingas modal ontological argument where the. Alvin plantinga, gods philosopher 3 he resolved to become a philosopher. By taking existence in reality to be a greatmaking property and god to be the greatest possible being, plantinga skillfully presents anselms ontological argument. Plantinga developed his modal version of the ontological argument for the existence of god in his two controversial books, the nature of necessity 1974. Jul 29, 2008 by taking existence in reality to be a greatmaking property and god to be the greatest possible being, plantinga skillfully presents anselms ontological argument. Anselm, rene descartes, and many other theologians throughout the centuries. Nov 21, 2019 god, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga details trove. Plantingas treatment is marked by an intriguing turn in god and other minds 12 he examines a number of variants of the argument and concludes that they arc one and all unsuccessful. Plantinga and the ontological argument springerlink. As is typically done, we might think of a possible world as a complete way that things might have been.
Alvin plantinga the ontological argument page 315 1. For a critical account of verificationism see plantinga, god and other minds, chap. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Plantinga presents the logical problem of evil as set out by the famous philosopher j. God, freedom, and evil kindle edition by plantinga, alvin. 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. Few thinkers have had as much impact on contemporary philosophy as has alvin plantinga.
A more recent ontological argument came from kurt godel, who proposed a formal argument for gods existence. The most prominent modern advocate of the ontological argument is alvin plantinga. Themes from richard swinburne, bergmann and brower, eds. Obrien professor of philosophy at the university of notre dame. After kants, and others, critiques of anselm, most philosophers regarded the. Anselm to contemporary philosophers alvin plantinga, richard taylor on. Alvin carl plantinga is an american analytic philosopher, the john a. If, in an identical proposition, we reject the predicate while retaining the subject.
Clean without writing dare i say like new except it is almost 50 years old. Alvin plantinga editor, richard taylor introduction 3. Anselm of canterbury used a version of the argument in the 11th century ad, but it has its modern defenders as well. Kants objection 8 the most famous and important objection to the ontological argument is contained in immanuel kants critique of pure reason. Alvin plantinga on the ontological argument springerlink. Malcolm, and alvin plantinga, have utilized modal logic to.
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. The author concludes that while the argument is probably. God, freedom, and evil alvin plantinga free download as pdf file. T his is a collection of philosophical papers by alvin plantinga. Obrien professor of philosophy emeritus at notre dame university i give two arguments against materialism.
In the actual world i am writing up this blog post, but i could have decid. God exists in the understanding but not in reality. William lane craig considers alvin plantinga s version of the ontological argument as having the best chance of being cogent wlc 2004, p. Alvin plantinga has produced an original and important study of the ontological argument. 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. Mackie stated that the following three propositions cannot all be true at the. Alvin plantingas modal ontological argument fundamental.
For, in my judgment, there is no presentation of the ontological argument that is as carefully developed, forceful, and clear as plantinga s formulation and discussion of the argument on 3 ibid. Apr 23, 2014 the ontological argument has a long history st. 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. Alvin plantinga has 31 books on goodreads with 777 ratings. If you can find a hole in it, so much the worse for all other versions of the argument. In the nature of necessity 1974a and god, freedom and evil 1974b plantinga argues, also famously, that mackies argument isnt sound.