His philosophical contributions are primarily in the philosophy of religion, despite commencing his studies in the philosophy of language, with publications such as. The routledge handbook of contemporary philosophy of religion, edited by graham oppy, has just been published. Graham oppy is an atheist and a leading philosopher of religion. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. The problem of heaven part 1a common sense atheism. 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. But whether we do or not, theres nothing to be gained by saying its a supernatural entity with intellect and will. Im going to quote some sections from graham oppy s describing gods. Sobels logic and theism is the strongest atheist book written since mackies the miracle of theism. Oppy argues that each of us fits into one of these four categories. Graham oppys book, arguing about gods, is an odd one. This book is the other half of graham oppys arguing about gods. 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. The motivation is to attack theism by posing a dilemma for the theist, viz.
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. Oppy suggests that we can understand perfections as idealizations of various basic excellences, such as knowledge, virtue, and ability. 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. Not all atheists are as capable of blind, willful ignorance as dawkins. This is the second exchange oppy and i have had on the show. Graham oppys new book describing gods is available. 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. Jul 18, 2011 that presentation had followed the one in graham oppys book arguing about gods. In that earlier exchange we discussed my book five proofs of the existence of god. 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. I read graham oppys the best argument against god and arguing about gods and i really.
In addition, theres the question of whether god is still praiseworthy if he cannot do otherwise. Im going to quote some sections from graham oppys describing gods. Graham oppy s new book describing gods is available. 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. Graham robert oppy born 1960 is an australian philosopher whose main area of research is. Graham oppy s recently published the best argument against god represents something like this strategy.
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. I want you to note that you mentioned the big bang and i did not. 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. In this book, graham oppy examines arguments for and against the existence of god. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Nov 05, 2009 arguing about gods could have seriously benefited from an examination of the burden of proof, or what presuppositions count as rational. Arguing about gods scholarly works reasonable faith. 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. Oppy challenges craig on every step of the kalam, but im going to focus upon one.
As a matter of historical fact, most philosophers and theologians who have defended traditional theistic views have been moral realists. The first was last july, and you can still watch that on youtube as well. 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. Apr 12, 2016 graham oppy s book arguing about gods groups these arguments into categories and then systematically refutes each category on logical grounds. Jul 12, 2014 these are central topics in the philosophy of religion.
Graham oppys most popular book is arguing about gods. Oppys argument against god is that naturalism enjoys an evidential advantage over theism. Philosophical perspectives on infinity is a very good book and i am pleased to recommend it. 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. The only reasonable reply to the problem of evil scienceblogs. Graham oppys recent book arguing about gods has a thoughtful, challenging section dedicated to william lane craigs exposition of the kalam. Cambridge core theology describing gods by graham oppy. 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.
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. This is the view of leading philosopher of religion dr. For a very thorough discussion, see graham oppys books ontological arguments and belief in god and arguing about gods. Greatest possible being, by jeff speaks mind oxford. Nov 14, 2014 looking forward to the paperback or e book version. Here is an idea inspired by graham oppys analysis of perfection 2004, pp. Graham oppy author of arguing about gods goodreads. 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. But whether we do or not, there s nothing to be gained by saying it s a supernatural entity with intellect and will. 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 oppy s arguing about gods is a wideranging and penetrating critique of the arguments of natural theology. In fact, granting that conclusion, it may still be the case that christianity is true.
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. 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. Essential to oppys project of showing that there are no successful theistic arguments is his account of success in argumentation. Jan 01, 20 for a very thorough discussion, see graham oppys books ontological arguments and belief in god and arguing about gods. Although oppy is an aggressive atheist, he proceeds to debunk these particular objections to divine omniscience. Hugh lafollette, plantinga on the free will defense. 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. 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. Graham oppys book arguing about gods groups these arguments into categories and then systematically refutes each category on logical grounds.
Oppy s account not only sets the bar unrealistically. Sep 06, 2011 not all atheists are as capable of blind, willful ignorance as dawkins. In this paper, i seek to answer oppys criticisms of the arguments based on the impossibility of the. Ontological arguments and belief in god by graham oppy.
There are those written by quentin smith, a sound logical argument from evil. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Dispatches from the antievolutionist frontline why do so many americans reject the modern theory of evolution.
S1 e8 graham oppy on atheism and agnosticism thinking. Oppys other book, philosophical perspectives on infinity, which tackles all of the associated mathematical questions. Oppys forthcoming book on the divine attributes oppy, graham. He says right at the outset that he thinks it is not irrational to be theist, agnostic, or atheist. Remember, they are discussing oppy s article in response to ed s book, five proof s for the existence of god. Mar 18, 2017 assessing graham oppys book, the best argument against god. He describes science as a collective enterprise of data. Graham oppy, ontological arguments and belief in god. Ive also been reading graham oppys much more sophisticated and less accessible arguing about gods, but havent had a chance to talk to. Nov 28, 2018 there are those written by quentin smith, a sound logical argument from evil. In this book graham oppy undertakes a careful study of attributes which are commonly ascribed to god, including infinity, perfection, simplicity, eternity, necessity. In this paper, i seek to answer oppy s criticisms of the arguments based on the impossibility of the. On oppys view the current occupants vacating the space causes the new object to. Essential to oppy s project of showing that there are no successful theistic arguments is his account of success in argumentation.
Greatest possible being, by jeff speaks mind oxford academic. Oppys account not only sets the bar unrealistically high but also appears to be selfdefeating. Arguing about gods cambridge, 2006, describing gods. The books table of contents and other details can be found here. Assessing graham oppys book, the best argument against god.
A contemporary philosophical investigation by graham oppy, 2014 describing gods. That presentation had followed the one in graham oppys book arguing about gods. 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. As graham oppy pointed out somewhere in the best argument against god, there are thoughtful, reflective people on both sides of every argument. Graham oppys atheism and agnosticism is part of the cambridge elements series. 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.
But the son of man figure in daniel, even at the time of his writing it is neither god nor a god in the pagan sense, which introduces a basis for. 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. Those are the sorts of arguments i am describing as wholly ineffective. Graham oppy has 44 books on goodreads with 911 ratings. Instead of analysing perfection in terms of maximal greatness, we identify a more basic attribute. Oppy argues that there are no successful arguments for the existence or nonexistence of god. An investigation of divine attributes by graham oppy, 2006. Graham oppys arguing about gods is the most comprehensive. An investigation of the divine attributes cambridge, 2014. Graham oppy s book, arguing about gods, is an odd one. 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.
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. Graham oppys recently published the best argument against god represents something like this strategy. 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. It all has to do with the discussion that arose in the comments section after part one was posted. Request pdf arguing about gods in this book, graham oppy examines arguments for and against the existence of god. Nov 21, 2016 do christian claims clash with philosophy. 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. Perhaps a greater companion can be conceived, but it is hard to imagine a greater being achieved. Describing gods cambridge university press, forthcoming. That discussion forced me to think about the presentation of the problem of heaven that i had originally offered. Arguing about gods could have seriously benefited from an examination of the burden of proof, or what presuppositions count as rational. Knepper, drake university, philosophy and religion, 203 medbury hall, des moines, ia 50311, usa. An investigation of divine attributes, graham oppy expands on the question of whether god is a free agent. 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.
Graham robert oppy born 1960 is an australian philosopher whose main area of research is the philosophy of religion. Graham oppys new book makes a general defense of a no. Earlier today on cameron bertuzzis capturing christianity program, i had a very pleasant and fruitful live exchange with graham oppy. 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. That means that it is shorter than a standard book, in this case the printed. 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. But even granted that conclusion, it may still be the case that god exists. Like, the second book on the bookshelf is before the third book on the book shelf. Future students of the ontological argument will find it something of a burden if they have to manage without it. Moran and dunford on the expertise question scienceblogs. He has a lot to add to recent discussions about atheism and agnosticism. There are some very recondite objections to divine omniscience based on indexical reference as well as the liar paradox and set theory.