Purchase Access
The full "ReligionCasts" series of podcasts on philosophy of religion is available for purchase for $10. If you contribute to Philosophy in Action's Tip Jar via recurring weekly or monthly contributions (or the equivalent), please email me for free access.
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Free Podcasts
- Philosophy of Religion: Overview: Does God exist? Can that be proven? This episode begins a series of podcasts on philosophy of religion surveying the various arguments for the existence of God. Here, I introduce the topic by discussing the importance of those arguments, explain the burden of proof principle, and discuss the nature of God. (11 September 2009)
- Cosmological Arguments, Part 1: The Arguments – Did God create the universe? Is his existence required to explain how and why something exists, rather than nothing? The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God answers "Yes" to both of these questions. Here, I present three variants of that argument – the First Cause Argument, the Temporal First Cause Argument, and the Sustaining First Cause Argument. (18 September 2009)
- Cosmological Arguments, Part 2: The Objections – Did God create the universe? Is his existence required to explain how and why something exists, rather than nothing? The Cosmological Argument says "Yes." Here, we consider six objections to three variants of that argument – the First Cause Argument, the Temporal First Cause Argument, and the Sustaining First Cause Argument. (25 September 2009)
- The Ontological Argument – Does God's perfection entail his existence? Via his Ontological Argument, Anselm of Canterbury, argues that it does. Here, we consider the argument and the decisive objections against it. (2 October 2009.
- Design Arguments, Part 1: Some Arguments – Does the complexity and orderliness of the universe prove God's existence? Yes, according to Design Arguments for the existence of God. Here, I explain two versions of that argument – Thomas Aquinas' Teleological Argument and the Fine Tuning Argument – both of which appeal to the regularity of the cosmos. (9 October 2009)
- Design Arguments, Part 2: Some Objections – Does the complexity and orderliness of the universe prove God's existence? Yes, according to Design Arguments for the existence of God. Here, we consider six objections to two versions of that argument – the Teleological Argument and the Fine Tuning Argument. (16 October 2009)
- Design Arguments, Part 3: More Arguments – Does the complexity, delicacy, and purposefulness of living organisms prove the existence of God? William Paley argues that it does in his Analogical Argument from Design. Here, I explain his argument, including his analogy between living organisms and machines. (2 November 2009)
- Design Arguments, Part 4: More Objections – Does the complexity, delicacy, and purposefulness of living organisms prove the existence of God? William Paley argues that it does in his Analogical Argument from Design. Here, we explore philosophical objections to his argument, as well as the alternative explanation of evolutionary theory. (11 December 2014)
Premium Podcasts
These podcasts are (or will be) available for free to regular contributors to Philosophy in Action's Tip Jar, as well as to people listening to the live show. They can be purchased using the form above for just $10 for the whole set.
- Argument from Miracles, Part 1: The Argument and Some Objections – Do reports of miracles prove the existence of God? Most people of faith appeal to the miracles of their faith as grounds for their belief. Here, I consider what miracles are, how they are supposed to prove God's existence, and raise some concerns about them. (9 April 2015)
- Argument from Miracles, Part 1: The Objections – Do reports of miracles prove the existence of God? David Hume challenges the common idea that they do, particularly by considering the reliability of the testimony offered on their behalf. In addition to this epistemic objection, we will consider the metaphysical case against miracles. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- Pascal's Wager: Arguments and Objections – Even if God's existence cannot be proven, should we bet that he does exist based on the prospect of rewards and punishments in the afterlife? Blaise Pascal argued that we should. Here, we will consider his proposal and then objections thereto. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- Faith Versus Reason: Part 1: Faith Over Reason – If belief in God's existence cannot be justified by reason, should a person believe on faith alone? In other words, is faith is a means to knowledge? Thomas Aquinas argues that faith helps to regulate reason and prevent it from erring. We will survey his arguments for the primacy of faith and then consider some objections to them. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- Faith Versus Reason: Part 2: Faith in the Gaps – If belief in God's existence cannot be justified by reason, should a person believe on faith alone? In other words, is faith is a means to knowledge? John Locke argues that reason is our primary means to knowledge, but that faith can fill in the gaps. We will survey his arguments for a secondary role for faith and then consider some objections to them. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- Faith Versus Reason: Part 3: Reason Only – If belief in God's existence cannot be justified by reason, should a person believe on faith alone? In other words, is faith is a means to knowledge? Ayn Rand and George H. Smith argue that faith is not a means to knowledge, but rather undermines and subverts rationality. We will survey their arguments. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- The Problem of Evil – Believers in God's existence claim that he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good. At the same time, they recognize (and often insist) that this world is replete with evils and sufferings, not just for the guilty but for the innocent too. Can these two beliefs be reconciled? The atheist argues that they cannot, and we will survey that argument and the various attempted replies by believers. (Forthcoming in 2015)
- Atheism Versus Agnosticism – In light of the failure of arguments for the existence of God, what should a person believe and advocate? Should a person embrace agnosticism, the view that people should suspend judgment on the question of whether God exists or not, either because we are incapable of such knowledge or because we do not presently have enough evidence to decide? Or should a person embrace atheism, the conviction that God does not exist, on the grounds that the burden of proof lies with the theist? We will consider, in other words, whether agnosticism is wishy-washy or atheism just another form of faith. (Forthcoming in 2015)