Difference between revisions of "Argument from beauty"
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| − | [[File:Autumn.jpg|291px|right|thumbnail|[[Autumn]] foliage | + | [[File:Autumn.jpg|291px|right|thumbnail|[[Autumn]] foliage]] |
| + | The '''argument from beauty''' argues the existence of [[beauty]] in the natural world testifies to the existence of [[God]] who both [[intelligent design|designed]] natural beauty and who possesses a divine beauty. Objective beauty exists and beauty is not merely subjective in nature.<ref>[http://mereorthodoxy.com/is-beauty-objective/ Is Beauty Objective?] by Keith E. Buhler, posted October 24, 2007 | ||
| + | *[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2011/10/beauty-is-objective.html Beauty Is Objective] | ||
| + | *[http://www.everyjoe.com/2014/07/03/politics/robbed-of-beauty-by-the-left/ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left]</ref> | ||
| − | + | The psalmist [[King David|David]] wrote: "One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple."(Psalm 27:4). The [[fall of man]] caused death, disease and suffering to enter into the world. The Bible also declares that [[Sarah]], [[Abraham]]'s wife, had both inner and outer beauty.<ref>[https://bible.org/seriespage/yes-my-lord%E2%80%94-ithe-story-abraham-and-sarahi Yes, My Lord— The Story of Abraham and Sarah]</ref> | |
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Author John C. Wright wrote in his 2014 essay ''How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the [[Leftist|Left]]'': | Author John C. Wright wrote in his 2014 essay ''How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the [[Leftist|Left]]'': | ||
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The Left hates this argument, because – since it is not put into words – it cannot be refuted in words.<ref>[http://www.everyjoe.com/2014/07/03/politics/robbed-of-beauty-by-the-left/ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left]</ref>}} | The Left hates this argument, because – since it is not put into words – it cannot be refuted in words.<ref>[http://www.everyjoe.com/2014/07/03/politics/robbed-of-beauty-by-the-left/ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left]</ref>}} | ||
| + | [[File:Another atheist pothead.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Carl Sagan]] declared: “I find that a chilling, spine-tingling, exciting, perspective-raising, consciousness-raising experience. It’s said that [[astronomy]] is a humbling and character-building experience.”<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-neopaganism Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism]</ref>]] | ||
| + | [[Christianity|Christendom]] has created a vast collection of beautiful [[Christian paintings]], yet the atheist community, which has been in the world for thousands of years (since at least the time of [[ancient Greece]]), has yet to create one beautiful painting depicting their ideology (which is not surprising since atheism has been a [[atheism and morality|morally bankrupt ideology]] since its inception). | ||
| − | + | Atheists/evolutionists often [[Atheist hypocrisy|engage in hypocrisy]] on the issue of beauty in God's universe and engage in self-refuting arguments which argue that beauty is merely subjective, yet non-beauty/ugliness is an objective reality (non-beauty arose after the [[fall of man]]).<ref>[http://www.everyjoe.com/2014/07/03/politics/robbed-of-beauty-by-the-left/ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left]</ref><ref>[http://www.quodlibet.net/articles/williams-aesthetic.shtml Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God] by Peter Williams</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/darwins-arguments-against-god Darwin's arguments against God]</ref> | |
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| − | + | Furthermore, prominent atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[Philosophical skepticism|skeptics]] have exhibited great feelings of transcendency when examining nature.<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-neopaganism Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism]</ref> For example, the agnostic and evolutionist [[Carl Sagan]] declared: “I find that a chilling, spine-tingling, exciting, perspective-raising, consciousness-raising experience. It’s said that [[astronomy]] is a humbling and character-building experience.”<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-neopaganism Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism]</ref> [[Richard Dawkins]]' website quotes the atheist swimmer Diana Nyad declaring: "I can stand at the beach's edge with the most devout Christian, [[Judaism|Jew]], [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] — go on down the line — and weep with the beauty of this [[universe]]...".<ref>[http://richarddawkins.net/2014/02/can-an-atheist-be-in-awe-of-the-universe/ Can an Atheist Be in Awe of the Universe?]</ref> Even in atheistic [[Japan]], children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref> | |
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| − | Atheists/evolutionists often [[Atheist hypocrisy|engage in hypocrisy]] on the issue of beauty in God's universe and engage in self-refuting arguments which argue that beauty is merely subjective, yet non-beauty/ugliness is an objective reality (non-beauty arose after the fall of man).<ref>[http://www.quodlibet.net/articles/williams-aesthetic.shtml Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God] by Peter Williams</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/darwins-arguments-against-god Darwin's arguments against God]</ref> Furthermore, prominent atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[Philosophical skepticism|skeptics]] have exhibited great feelings of transcendency when examining nature.<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-neopaganism Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism]</ref> For example, the agnostic and evolutionist [[Carl Sagan]] declared: “I find that a chilling, spine-tingling, exciting, perspective-raising, consciousness-raising experience. It’s said that [[astronomy]] is a humbling and character-building experience.”<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-neopaganism Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism]</ref> Even in atheistic [[Japan]], children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref> | + | |
== God, the creator of beauty, and the folly and ugliness of atheism == | == God, the creator of beauty, and the folly and ugliness of atheism == | ||
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"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - [[Romans]] 1:19-20 (NKJV) | "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - [[Romans]] 1:19-20 (NKJV) | ||
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| + | == Atheism has a poor track record in terms of creating art/music == | ||
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| + | See also: [[Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence|Atheism and art/music]] | ||
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| + | Despite [[atheism]] being around since at least [[ancient Greece]], there has not been a strong tradition of creating musical and artistic works related to atheism. Musical/artistic talent can be enhanced through practice and the atheist creed of "there is no God" is not an inspiring creed that produces a significant amount of music/art. For example, despite [[Wikipedia]] being founded by an atheist and an agnostic, there are no articles specifically devoted to the topics of atheist music or atheist art at Wikipedia, but Wikipedia does have articles devoted specifically to [[Christian art]] and [[Christian music]]. | ||
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| + | For more information please see: [[Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence|Atheism and art/music]] | ||
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| + | [[Image:998086u.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|An essay by the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] Dr. James Spiegel describes [[Bertrand Russell]] as a "misogynistic and a serial adulterer; a chronic seducer of women, especially very young women, even in his old age."<ref>''The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief'' By James Spiegel, page 72, Moody Publishers, 2010</ref>]] | ||
| + | == Atheist worldview, nature and futility == | ||
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| + | See: [[Atheist worldview, nature and futility]] and [[Atheism and wonder]] | ||
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| + | Although [[Bertrand Russell]] was an [[agnosticism|agnostic]], he had favorable views towards [[atheism]].<ref> Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> Bertrand Russell wrote in 1903 about [[entropy]] and the universe: | ||
| + | {{cquote|That man is the product of causes that had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of [[atom]]s; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the [[solar system]], and that the whole temple of Man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. | ||
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| + | "Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding dispair, can the soul's habitation henceforth be safely built." <ref>[http://www.alamut.com/subj/ideologies/pessimism/entropy.html Entropy and heat death]</ref>}} | ||
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| + | See also: [[Hopelessness of atheism]] and [[Second law of thermodynamics]] and [[Fall of man]] | ||
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| + | == Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence == | ||
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| + | See: [[Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence]] | ||
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| + | == Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body == | ||
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| + | See: [[Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body]] | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | * [[Atheism and love]] | ||
| + | * [[Intelligent design]] | ||
| + | * [[Evolution|Arguments against evolution]] | ||
* [[Christian apologetics]] | * [[Christian apologetics]] | ||
* [[Arguments for the existence of God]] | * [[Arguments for the existence of God]] | ||
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* [[Atheism and obesity]] | * [[Atheism and obesity]] | ||
* [[Creation science]] | * [[Creation science]] | ||
| + | * [[Unattractiveness of atheism]] | ||
== Articles on the argument from beauty == | == Articles on the argument from beauty == | ||
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*[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles2/SwinburnDesign.php Swinburne’s Argument from Beauty] | *[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles2/SwinburnDesign.php Swinburne’s Argument from Beauty] | ||
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| + | *[http://www.christianapologeticsalliance.com/2013/11/16/arguments-from-beauty-and-aesthetics/ Arguments from beauty and aesthetics] | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 20:03, July 18, 2015
The argument from beauty argues the existence of beauty in the natural world testifies to the existence of God who both designed natural beauty and who possesses a divine beauty. Objective beauty exists and beauty is not merely subjective in nature.[1]
The psalmist David wrote: "One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple."(Psalm 27:4). The fall of man caused death, disease and suffering to enter into the world. The Bible also declares that Sarah, Abraham's wife, had both inner and outer beauty.[2]
Author John C. Wright wrote in his 2014 essay How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left:
| “ | The strongest argument against the atheism so beloved of the Left is not an argument that can be put in words, for it is the argument of beauty. If you see a sunset clothed in scarlet like a king descending to his empurpled pyre, or wonder at the gleaming thunder of a waterfall, if you find yourself fascinated by the soft intricacy of a crimson rose or behold the cold virgin majesty of the morning star, much less see and enter a cathedral or a walled garden...or Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, if indeed you see real beauty and for a moment you forget yourself, then you are drawn out of yourself into something larger.
In that timeless moment of sublime rapture, the heart knows even if the head cannot put it into words that the dull and quotidian world of betrayal, pain, disappointment and sorrow is not the only world there is. Beauty points to a world beyond this world, a higher realm, a country of joy where there is no death. Beauty points to the divine. The Left hates this argument, because – since it is not put into words – it cannot be refuted in words.[3] |
” |
Christendom has created a vast collection of beautiful Christian paintings, yet the atheist community, which has been in the world for thousands of years (since at least the time of ancient Greece), has yet to create one beautiful painting depicting their ideology (which is not surprising since atheism has been a morally bankrupt ideology since its inception).
Atheists/evolutionists often engage in hypocrisy on the issue of beauty in God's universe and engage in self-refuting arguments which argue that beauty is merely subjective, yet non-beauty/ugliness is an objective reality (non-beauty arose after the fall of man).[5][6][7]
Furthermore, prominent atheists/agnostics/skeptics have exhibited great feelings of transcendency when examining nature.[8] For example, the agnostic and evolutionist Carl Sagan declared: “I find that a chilling, spine-tingling, exciting, perspective-raising, consciousness-raising experience. It’s said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience.”[9] Richard Dawkins' website quotes the atheist swimmer Diana Nyad declaring: "I can stand at the beach's edge with the most devout Christian, Jew, Buddhist — go on down the line — and weep with the beauty of this universe...".[10] Even in atheistic Japan, children see the world as designed.[11]
Contents
- 1 God, the creator of beauty, and the folly and ugliness of atheism
- 2 Atheism has a poor track record in terms of creating art/music
- 3 Atheist worldview, nature and futility
- 4 Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence
- 5 Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body
- 6 See also
- 7 Articles on the argument from beauty
- 8 Notes
God, the creator of beauty, and the folly and ugliness of atheism
see also: Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
The writers of the Bible considered the existence of God to be self-evident and Moses simply wrote: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1).[12]
Accordingly, the psalmist David declared:
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalms 14:1 (KJV)
The psalmist David also wrote "The heavens declare the glory of God..." - Psalms 19:1
In his letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul declared:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - Romans 1:19-20 (NKJV)
Atheism has a poor track record in terms of creating art/music
See also: Atheism and art/music
Despite atheism being around since at least ancient Greece, there has not been a strong tradition of creating musical and artistic works related to atheism. Musical/artistic talent can be enhanced through practice and the atheist creed of "there is no God" is not an inspiring creed that produces a significant amount of music/art. For example, despite Wikipedia being founded by an atheist and an agnostic, there are no articles specifically devoted to the topics of atheist music or atheist art at Wikipedia, but Wikipedia does have articles devoted specifically to Christian art and Christian music.
For more information please see: Atheism and art/music
Atheist worldview, nature and futility
See: Atheist worldview, nature and futility and Atheism and wonder
Although Bertrand Russell was an agnostic, he had favorable views towards atheism.[14] Bertrand Russell wrote in 1903 about entropy and the universe:
| “ | That man is the product of causes that had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand.
"Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding dispair, can the soul's habitation henceforth be safely built." [15] |
” |
See also: Hopelessness of atheism and Second law of thermodynamics and Fall of man
Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence
See: Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence
Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body
See: Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body
See also
- Atheism and love
- Intelligent design
- Arguments against evolution
- Christian apologetics
- Arguments for the existence of God
- Atheism and obesity
- Creation science
- Unattractiveness of atheism
Articles on the argument from beauty
- Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God by Peter Williams
Notes
- ↑ Is Beauty Objective? by Keith E. Buhler, posted October 24, 2007
- ↑ Yes, My Lord— The Story of Abraham and Sarah
- ↑ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left
- ↑ Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism
- ↑ How We’ve Been Robbed of Beauty by the Left
- ↑ Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God by Peter Williams
- ↑ Darwin's arguments against God
- ↑ Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism
- ↑ Atheism as nature worship or neo-paganism
- ↑ Can an Atheist Be in Awe of the Universe?
- ↑ Children see the world as designed
- ↑ http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/existence1.asp
- ↑ The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief By James Spiegel, page 72, Moody Publishers, 2010
- ↑ Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[1] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.
- ↑ Entropy and heat death
