A MORAL ARGUMENT FOR GODS EXISTENCE Key Questions

A MORAL ARGUMENT FOR GOD’S EXISTENCE

Key Questions Is there just one moral argument for God’s existence? What is William Lane Craig’s famous moral argument? What is the best way to defend Craig’s moral argument?

Just One Moral Argument? There are many moral arguments for God’s existence. Their goal: show God is the only (or at least the best) explanation for certain aspects of morality

Craig’s Moral Argument We’ll look at one moral argument: William Lane Craig’s It claims that God is necessary for objective moral values and duties

Craig’s Moral Argument It is easy to remember, and it follows a basic rule of logic: 1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist. 2. Objective moral values and duties do exist. 3. Therefore, God exists.

Defining Terms Moral Value: whether something is morally “good” or “bad” � E. g. , love is “good” and hatred is “bad” Moral Duty: whether something is morally required or morally prohibited (our moral “responsibilities”) � E. g. , loving children is morally required and torturing children for fun is morally prohibited

Defining Terms Objective: Does not depend upon what anybody thinks about it; true regardless of what anybody thinks � E. g. , the earth is round Subjective: Depends upon personal opinion � Cookies & Cream is the best flavor of ice cream

Clarifying Premise 2 Question: What does Premise 2 mean when it says there are “objective moral values and duties”? Answer: Some things are morally good or bad regardless of what any human thinks. Also, we have certain moral responsibilities regardless of human opinion. Illustration: The Holocaust…

Illustration of Objective Morality The holocaust is objectively wrong if… …it was wrong even though the Nazis thought that it was right. …AND it would still be wrong even if the Nazis had won WWII and killed off everyone who disagreed with them.

Clarifying Premise 1 Question: Premise 1 states: “If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist. ” What does this mean? Answer: In any “world” (complete description of reality) that lacks God, there would be nothing in that description of reality that could serve as an objective standard of what is “good” or “bad” or “right” or “wrong. ”

Defending the Moral Argument Let’s defend Premise 2 first: 1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist. 2. Objective moral values and duties do exist. 3. Therefore, God exists. 2

Defending Premise 2 Moral experience tells us some things are objectively right and wrong Moral criticism is proper and unavoidable… Is there nothing objectively wrong with such things as: � Nazis starving, torturing, and murdering Jews � Terrorists flying airplanes into buildings Is there no objective difference between torturing children for fun and loving children? Are they just matters of preference?

Defending Premise 2 Making moral comparisons assumes an objective moral standard. Can the actions of these two people be morally equal?

Defending the Moral Argument Now let’s defend Premise 1: 1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist. 2. Objective moral values and duties do exist. 3. Therefore, God exists. 1

Standard of Objective Morality If there is objective morality, something must serves as the standard of objective morality… Something needs to be the foundation or “measuring stick” that establishes what is objectively “good” or “bad” and establishes our objective moral responsibilities… Sound of Live Orchestra > > High-Fidelity Sound Low-Fidelity Sound

Standard of Objective Morality How could an atheist justify the existence of objective moral values and duties? What could be the one true standard that establishes what is universally good/bad and right/wrong for all people?

Standard of Objective Morality We must consider what the standard of objective morality would have to be like. The standard of objective morality seemingly must have five qualities…

Standard of Objective Morality Five Key Qualities of the Standard of Objective Morality: 1. Personal 2. Beyond Humanity (Transcendent) 3. Unchanging 4. Eternally Existing 5. Necessarily Good/Good in Itself These are attributes of God! But…

Defending the Moral Argument Both premises seem to be true. If they are true, then the conclusion has to be true! 1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist. 2. Objective moral values and duties do exist. 3. Therefore, God exists.

Questions?

“Euthyphro Dilemma” Socrates Objection to Premise 1: Why does the fact that God says something is right mean that it is objectively right? God’s existence would not mean that there is objective morality because either: A) Morality is still subjective because it depends on God’s arbitrary (random) opinion. If God had said that murder and torture are good, would that make them good? OR B) God simply recognizes that certain things are good or bad and then issues moral commands to us on that basis. That means there is a standard of “goodness” outside of God is not needed.

“Euthyphro Dilemma” Socrates Response to Objection: There is a third option!. . . C) God Himself—in His very nature—is the Good. So God’s commands are not arbitrary, and they do not come from outside of God is necessarily the Good. His holy character is the source and standard of objective morality.

Atheists on Morality Ruse Atheists have various views on morality. Atheists struggle to justify that atheism can provide a standard/foundation for objective morality, so many do not try to do so… Atheist philosopher Michael Ruse accepts the implausible view that morality is an illusion that we have evolved for survival purposes: “Morality is a biological adaptation no less than our hands and feet and teeth. Considered as … an objective something, ethics is illusory. Morality is just an aid to survival and reproduction, … and any deeper meaning is illusory. ”