A response to Oppy, and to Davey and Clifton

Bibliographic Data

ID20311661
AuthorsRichard M Gale (University of Pittsburgh), Alexander R Pru (0000-0002-0069-532X, Georgetown University), Alexander R Pruss
Year2002
Volume38
Issue1
Pages89-99
Publication date2002-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligious Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0034-4125 • E-ISSN: 1469-901X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0034412501005923
OpenAlexW2140312511
LanguageEN
Citations received4

Our paper ‘A new cosmological argument’ gave an argument for the existence of God making use of the weak Principle of Sufficient Reason (W-PSR) which states that for every proposition p , if p is true, then it is possible that there is an explanation for p . Recently, Graham Oppy, as well as Kevin Davey and Rob Clifton, have criticized the argument. We reply to these criticisms. The most interesting kind of criticism in both papers alleges that the W-PSR can be justifiably denied by the atheist, and constitutes no improvement on the strong Principle of Sufficient Reason (S-PSR) which claims that every true proposition in fact has an explanation. The criticism is predicated on the fact that it can be shown that the W-PSR entails the S-PSR. We argue that the W-PSR's plausibility remains despite the criticisms. From this it can be seen to follow that the entailment relation between the W-PSR and the S-PSR gives one reason to believe the S-PSR

Argument (complex analysis) · Criticism · Epistemology · Logical consequence · Political science · Proposition · Relation (database) · Computer Science · Law · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Philosophy and Theoretical Science · Theology and Philosophy of Evil

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