Essay Instructions: Response Paper Instructions
Attachment: 1 Fax Copy McCloskey Article ?On Being an Atheist,?
Attachment: 2 Fax Copy 1-17 pages on Evens/Other Sources for your consideration.
In this article, McCloskey is both critical of the classical arguments for God?s existence and offers the problem of evil as a reason why one should not believe in God. Please read this short article, attached and respond to each of the questions below. The basis for your answers should primarily come from the attachment: Please don?t quote these sources as an answer to the question-answer in your own words. You may appeal to other outside sources as well, as long as you properly document them using Turabain style formatting (See attachment 2) or use your own. Please do not use the Bible as a source. This response paper is to be a minimum of 1700 words, and should be written in an essay format. You can be critical of McCloskey, but should remain respectful. I am developing a 2500 word paper and I?m looking for detailed responses? to each of the questions below.
1 McCloskey refers to the arguments as ?Proofs? and often implies that they can?t definitively establish the case for God, so therefore they should be abandoned. What would you say about this?
2 Cosmological Argument:
McCloskey claims that the ?mere existence of the world constitutes no reason for believing in such a being [i.e. a necessarily existing being]? Using Evans? discussion of the Non-temporal form of the argument (pp. 69-77) explain why the cause of the universe must be necessary (and therefore uncaused).
McCloskey also claims that the cosmological argument ?does not entitle us to postulate an all-powerful, all-perfect, uncaused cause.? In light of Evans?s final paragraph on the cosmological argument (p.77), how might you respond to McCloskey?
3 On the Teleological Argument:
McCloskey claims that ?to get the proof going, genuine indisputable examples of design and purpose are needed.? Discuss this standard of ?indisputability? which he calls a ?very conclusive objection.? Is it reasonable?
From your reading in Evans, can you offer an example of design that, while not necessarily ?indisputable? you believe provides strong evidence of a designer of the universe?
McCloskey implies that evolution has displaced the need for a designer. Assuming evolution is true, for argument?s sake, how would you respond to McCloskey (see Evans pp. 82-83)?
McCloskey claims that the presence of imperfection and evil in the world argues against ?the perfection of the divine design or divine purpose in the world.? Remembering Evens? comments about the limitations of the cosmological argument, how might you respond to this charge by McCloskey?
4 On the problem of Evil:
McCloskey?s main objection to theism is the presence of evil in the world and he raises it several times: ?No being who was perfect could have created a world in which there was unavoidable suffering or in which his creatures would (and in fact could have been created so as not to) engage in morally evil acts, acts which very often result in injury to innocent persons.? It seems to me the language of this claim is implying that it is an example of the logical form of the problem. Given this implication, using Evans?s discussion of the logical problem (pp. 159-168 noting especially his concluding paragraphs to this section), how might you respond to McCloskey?
McCloskey specifically discusses the free will argument, asking ?might not God have very easily so have arranged the world and biased man to virtue that men always freely chose what is right?? From the stand point of free will, and what Evans says about the free will theodicy, especially the section on Mackie and Plantinga?s response (pp. 163-166) and what he says about the evidential problem (pp. 168-172), how would you respond to McCloskey?s question?
5 On Atheism as Comforting
In the final pages of McCloskey?s article he claims that atheism is more comforting than theism. Using the argument presented by William Lane Craig in the article ?The Absurdity of Life without God,? (Look up on the Internet) respond to McCloskey?s claim.
Bibliography List:
Dawkins, Richard:
Hawking, Stephen:
McCloskey, H.J. ?On Being an Atheist,? Question 1 February 1968): 62-69.
Hugh Ross: Journey Toward Creation: www.reasons.org
Swinburne, Richard:
Zacharias, Ravi:
Evans, Stephen. C. Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-8308-3876-9.
Holmes, Arthur. F. Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions. 2nd ed. Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 0-830-82803-6.
Woodhouse, Mark. B. A Preface to Philosophy. 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2006. ISBN: 0-495-00714-5.