A version of this article was first read at a spring 2010 humanities center colloquium at drake university, then at the 2010 annual meeting of the american academy of religion, and finally at the spring 2011 conference on the future of continental philosophy. Graham oppy s new book describing gods is available. Nov 28, 2018 there are those written by quentin smith, a sound logical argument from evil. Cambridge core theology describing gods by graham oppy. Graham oppy author of arguing about gods goodreads. Oppy argues that each of us fits into one of these four categories. Essential to oppys project of showing that there are no successful theistic arguments is his account of success in argumentation. Ive also been reading graham oppys much more sophisticated and less accessible arguing about gods, but havent had a chance to talk to. There are some very recondite objections to divine omniscience based on indexical reference as well as the liar paradox and set theory. Oppy argues that there are no successful arguments for the existence or nonexistence of god. Hugh lafollette, plantinga on the free will defense.
Im going to quote some sections from graham oppy s describing gods. Graham oppys arguing about gods is the most comprehensive available critical philosophical examination of arguments for the existence of an orthodoxly conceived monotheistic god a phrase that occurs often in the book, and which i shall abbreviate as god. Even given oppy s measured conclusions, the book still provides plenty of resources for readers to form their own conclusions, and there are few books that provide a deeper coverage of the arguments. Graham oppys arguing about gods is a wideranging and penetrating critique of the arguments of natural theology.
My essay religion and superstition is among the chapters. He shows that none of these arguments is powerful enough to change the minds of reasonable participants in debates on the question of the existence of god. I read graham oppys the best argument against god and arguing about gods and i really. Arguing about gods could have seriously benefited from an examination of the burden of proof, or what presuppositions count as rational. Although oppy is an aggressive atheist, he proceeds to debunk these particular objections to divine omniscience. One of the lessons of the book is that we have been mistaken to think, in speaks words, that the concept of god just is the modal concept of god p. Jul 12, 2014 these are central topics in the philosophy of religion. He says right at the outset that he thinks it is not irrational to be theist, agnostic, or atheist. Like, the second book on the bookshelf is before the third book on the book shelf.
His philosophical contributions are primarily in the philosophy of religion, despite commencing his studies in the philosophy of language, with publications such as. The main text opens with an historical survey, followed by oppy s interesting division of ontological arguments into six subtypes one chapter for each of the six types. Sep 06, 2011 not all atheists are as capable of blind, willful ignorance as dawkins. Oppys forthcoming book on the divine attributes oppy, graham.
Jul 18, 2011 that presentation had followed the one in graham oppys book arguing about gods. Philosophical perspectives on infinity is a very good book and i am pleased to recommend it. And in the article, oppy is specifically criticizing ed s aristotelian proof and even more specifically, his formal rendering of that proof in steps 4 to 7. He describes science as a collective enterprise of data. An investigation of divine attributes, graham oppy expands on the question of whether god is a free agent.
But the argument usually known as the ontological argument goes back to st anselm of canterbury, and i will be focusing on an adaptation of anselms argument presented by william lane craig in this lecture and this debate. The best argument against god while naturalism is simpler than theism, there is no relevant data that naturalism fails to explain at least as well as theism does. Graham oppy s arguing about gods is a wideranging and penetrating critique of the arguments of natural theology. Arguing about gods cambridge, 2006, describing gods. An investigation of divine attributes by graham oppy, 2006. If you read a book like graham oppy s brilliant arguing about gods, for example, in which he hurls every conceivable objection against the theistic arguments, what you might miss is that at the end of the day oppy is arguing that there are no rationally coercive arguments for god s existence a thesis with which most christian philosophers. Graham robert oppy born 1960 is an australian philosopher whose main area of research is. See, its even difficult to describe it, because the word before is a temporal word, describing time, but there was no before before the big bang. Graham robert oppy born 1960 is an australian philosopher whose main area of research is the philosophy of religion. That means that it is shorter than a standard book, in this case the printed version includes only 63 pages excluding references, and it introduces a specific topic by a specialist on that topic, in this case, atheism and agnosticism. If you read a book like graham oppys brilliant arguing about gods, for example, in which he hurls every conceivable objection against the theistic arguments, what you might miss is that at the end of the day oppy is arguing that there are no rationally coercive arguments for gods existence a thesis with which most christian philosophers. Oppy, an atheist, says his aim is to survey the arguments for and against the existence of an orthodoxly conceived monotheistic god, which im going to call ocmog for short.
Ontological arguments and belief in god by graham oppy. But whether we do or not, theres nothing to be gained by saying its a supernatural entity with intellect and will. This is the view of leading philosopher of religion dr. Those are the sorts of arguments i am describing as wholly ineffective. Even given oppys measured conclusions, the book still provides plenty of resources for readers to form their own conclusions, and there are few books that provide a deeper coverage of the arguments. The routledge handbook of contemporary philosophy of religion, edited by graham oppy, has just been published. Remember, they are discussing oppy s article in response to ed s book, five proof s for the existence of god. Dispatches from the antievolutionist frontline why do so many americans reject the modern theory of evolution. In section i, oppy considers how christianity should be characterized, the best way to build a case against theism, and the nonrational reasons why people believe in god, among other. Nov 21, 2016 do christian claims clash with philosophy. The books table of contents and other details can be found here. Graham oppys arguing about gods 2006 and his philosophical perspectives on infinity 2005 are the most potent critique to date of the kalamstyle arguments against the infinity of the past and for the beginning of the universe. Oppys other book, philosophical perspectives on infinity, which tackles all of the associated mathematical questions.
In this book, graham oppy examines arguments for and against the existence of god. Arguing about gods scholarly works reasonable faith. The motivation is to attack theism by posing a dilemma for the theist, viz. Richard davis called on him to defend a conflict model of the relation between christianity and philosophy in their new book four views on christianity and. Graham oppys new book makes a general defense of a no. Oppy is a topnotch philosopher, but on reflection it seems like his presentation isnt necessarily the best way to explain the persuasive force of the problem of heaven. Assessing graham oppys book, the best argument against god.
Sep 12, 2016 philosophical objections to omniscience there are some very recondite objections to divine omniscience based on indexical reference as well as the liar paradox and set theory. That discussion forced me to think about the presentation of the problem of heaven that i had originally offered. Graham oppys book arguing about gods groups these arguments into categories and then systematically refutes each category on logical grounds. Moran and dunford on the expertise question scienceblogs. Richard davis called on him to defend a conflict model of the relation between christianity and philosophy in their new book four views on christianity and philosophy kindle. Unfortunately, most people atheists and theists are only familiar with shallow, popular level arguments and they often wield the deadly combination of arrogance and ignorance. Graham oppys new book describing gods is available. Sobels logic and theism is the strongest atheist book written since mackies the miracle of theism. Perhaps a greater companion can be conceived, but it is hard to imagine a greater being achieved. Describing gods cambridge university press, forthcoming.
A few years ago, keith parsons wrote an essay stating that there were no good arguments for god, and he didnt want to teach them to students of philosophy any longer. In this paper, i seek to answer oppys criticisms of the arguments based on the impossibility of the. Describing gods an investigation of divine attributes how do religious believers describe god and what sort of attributes to they attribute to him these are central topics in the philosophy of religion in this book graham oppy undertakes a careful study. Earlier today on cameron bertuzzis capturing christianity program, i had a very pleasant and fruitful live exchange with graham oppy. But even granted that conclusion, it may still be the case that god exists. Oppy suggests that we can understand perfections as idealizations of various basic excellences, such as knowledge, virtue, and ability. Nov 05, 2009 arguing about gods could have seriously benefited from an examination of the burden of proof, or what presuppositions count as rational.
Graham oppy has 44 books on goodreads with 911 ratings. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Oppys account not only sets the bar unrealistically high but also appears to be selfdefeating. Instead of analysing perfection in terms of maximal greatness, we identify a more basic attribute. Request pdf arguing about gods in this book, graham oppy examines arguments for and against the existence of god. The first was last july, and you can still watch that on youtube as well. Mar 18, 2017 assessing graham oppys book, the best argument against god. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. In this book graham oppy undertakes a careful study of attributes which are commonly ascribed to god, including infinity, perfection, simplicity, eternity, necessity, fundamentality, omnipotence, omniscience, freedom, incorporeality, perfect goodness and perfect beauty. This book is the other half of graham oppys arguing about gods. S1 e8 graham oppy on atheism and agnosticism thinking. Graham oppys most popular book is arguing about gods. In this book graham oppy undertakes a careful study of attributes which are commonly ascribed to god, including infinity, perfection, simplicity, eternity, necessity. Im going to quote some sections from graham oppys describing gods.
As a matter of historical fact, most philosophers and theologians who have defended traditional theistic views have been moral realists. He has a lot to add to recent discussions about atheism and agnosticism. That presentation had followed the one in graham oppys book arguing about gods. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. The only reasonable reply to the problem of evil scienceblogs. I want you to note that you mentioned the big bang and i did not. It contains powerful insights into the epistemology of argument and the the main arguments for the existence of god including excellent discussions of the kalam cosmological argument and godels ontological argument. Greatest possible being, by jeff speaks mind oxford. Future students of the ontological argument will find it something of a burden if they have to manage without it.
Graham oppy explains the ways in which his reasons for rejecting christianity differ from those offered by bertrand russell in his famous paper of the same title. Introduction oppy says that while the discussion in his book suggests what he takes to be a very powerful cumulative case argument against theism, he. Graham oppy s book, arguing about gods, is an odd one. This is the second exchange oppy and i have had on the show. Graham oppy s arguing about gods 2006 and his philosophical perspectives on infinity 2005 are the most potent critique to date of the kalamstyle arguments against the infinity of the past and for the beginning of the universe. Graham oppys book, arguing about gods, is an odd one. Knepper, drake university, philosophy and religion, 203 medbury hall, des moines, ia 50311, usa. Not all atheists are as capable of blind, willful ignorance as dawkins.
There are those written by quentin smith, a sound logical argument from evil. Nov 14, 2014 looking forward to the paperback or e book version. Essential to oppy s project of showing that there are no successful theistic arguments is his account of success in argumentation. Graham oppy s recently published the best argument against god represents something like this strategy. Graham oppys recent book arguing about gods has a thoughtful, challenging section dedicated to william lane craigs exposition of the kalam. Oppys argument against god is that naturalism enjoys an evidential advantage over theism. In fact, granting that conclusion, it may still be the case that christianity is true. 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.
As graham oppy pointed out somewhere in the best argument against god, there are thoughtful, reflective people on both sides of every argument. The problem of heaven part 1a common sense atheism. Mar 20, 2020 his philosophical contributions are primarily in the philosophy of religion, despite commencing his studies in the philosophy of language, with publications such as. Graham oppys atheism and agnosticism is part of the cambridge elements series. Here is an idea inspired by graham oppys analysis of perfection 2004, pp. On oppys view the current occupants vacating the space causes the new object to. Oppy challenges craig on every step of the kalam, but im going to focus upon one. Graham oppy, ontological arguments and belief in god.
It all has to do with the discussion that arose in the comments section after part one was posted. Jan 01, 20 for a very thorough discussion, see graham oppys books ontological arguments and belief in god and arguing about gods. Graham oppy is an atheist and a leading philosopher of religion. An investigation of the divine attributes cambridge, 2014. In this paper, i seek to answer oppy s criticisms of the arguments based on the impossibility of the. Graham oppys recently published the best argument against god represents something like this strategy.