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[[File:JP Moreland.jpg|thumbnail|170px|right|[[J.P. Moreland]] ]] | [[File:JP Moreland.jpg|thumbnail|170px|right|[[J.P. Moreland]] ]] | ||
− | The argument from consciousness is an argument for the existence of God based on the problems consciousness poses for the atheistic worldview. The best-known defender of the argument from consciousness is the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[J.P. Moreland]].<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by [[John Piippo]], 3/20/2012</ref> See: [[Atheism and consciousness]] | + | The '''argument from consciousness''' is an argument for the existence of God based on the problems consciousness poses for the atheistic worldview. The best-known defender of the argument from consciousness is the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[J.P. Moreland]].<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by [[John Piippo]], 3/20/2012</ref> See: [[Atheism and consciousness]] |
− | + | [[John Piippo]] summarizes Moreland's argument from consciousness thusly: | |
{{Cquote|J.P. is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. His writing is crisp-clear. He's a brilliant thinker. He understands the relevant issues. Ultimately, this argument succeeds as an example of abductive reasoning: | {{Cquote|J.P. is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. His writing is crisp-clear. He's a brilliant thinker. He understands the relevant issues. Ultimately, this argument succeeds as an example of abductive reasoning: | ||
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* The elements themselves which we consist of, and nature itself, have no consciousness. | * The elements themselves which we consist of, and nature itself, have no consciousness. | ||
* Despite our elements themselves having no consciousness, we do. | * Despite our elements themselves having no consciousness, we do. | ||
− | * Consciousness | + | * Consciousness could not originate through blind natural forces, therefore there must be a being who supply that to us. |
* Infinite regress of beings is illogical, therefore a single, uncaused causer must be the causer of consciousness. | * Infinite regress of beings is illogical, therefore a single, uncaused causer must be the causer of consciousness. | ||
* This uncaused causer of the conscience is [[God]] | * This uncaused causer of the conscience is [[God]] | ||
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*[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by [[John Piippo]] | *[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by [[John Piippo]] | ||
*[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2014/04/one-of-atheisms-irresolvable-problems.html Consciousness: One of Atheism's Irresolvable Problems] by John Piippo | *[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2014/04/one-of-atheisms-irresolvable-problems.html Consciousness: One of Atheism's Irresolvable Problems] by John Piippo | ||
− | == British ex-atheist Anthony Flew on the | + | == British ex-atheist Anthony Flew on the argument from consciousness == |
The [[Britain|British]] [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Anthony Flew]] in his book ''There is a God'', points to the existence of consciousness as a problem for atheists.<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by John Piippo</ref> | The [[Britain|British]] [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Anthony Flew]] in his book ''There is a God'', points to the existence of consciousness as a problem for atheists.<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by John Piippo</ref> | ||
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*[[Atheism and consciousness#The atheist Sam Harris on the problem of consciousness for an atheistic worldview|The atheist Sam Harris on the problem of consciousness for an atheistic worldview]] | *[[Atheism and consciousness#The atheist Sam Harris on the problem of consciousness for an atheistic worldview|The atheist Sam Harris on the problem of consciousness for an atheistic worldview]] | ||
*[[Atheism and consciousness#Atheist Luke Muehlhauser on human consciousness|Atheist Luke Muehlhauser on human consciousness]] | *[[Atheism and consciousness#Atheist Luke Muehlhauser on human consciousness|Atheist Luke Muehlhauser on human consciousness]] | ||
+ | *[[Atheism and consciousness#Atheist John Horgan on consciousness|Atheist John Horgan on consciousness]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness == | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Atheism and consciousness#Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness|Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness]] | ||
== Objections to the argument from consciousness == | == Objections to the argument from consciousness == | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
+ | *[[Arguments for the existence of God]] | ||
*[[Atheism and the brain]] | *[[Atheism and the brain]] | ||
*[[Atheism and reason]] | *[[Atheism and reason]] | ||
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*[[Atheism and irrationality]] | *[[Atheism and irrationality]] | ||
*[[Atheism and logic]] | *[[Atheism and logic]] | ||
+ | *[[Faith and reason]] | ||
*[[Atheism and transhumanism]] | *[[Atheism and transhumanism]] | ||
− | |||
*[[Atheism and intelligence]] | *[[Atheism and intelligence]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:31, November 21, 2019
The argument from consciousness is an argument for the existence of God based on the problems consciousness poses for the atheistic worldview. The best-known defender of the argument from consciousness is the Christian apologist J.P. Moreland.[1] See: Atheism and consciousness
John Piippo summarizes Moreland's argument from consciousness thusly:
“ | J.P. is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. His writing is crisp-clear. He's a brilliant thinker. He understands the relevant issues. Ultimately, this argument succeeds as an example of abductive reasoning:
|
” |
Other explanation of the argument from consciousness:
- Nature consists of a finite number of elements.
- We (our physical bodies) consist of those elements.
- The elements themselves which we consist of, and nature itself, have no consciousness.
- Despite our elements themselves having no consciousness, we do.
- Consciousness could not originate through blind natural forces, therefore there must be a being who supply that to us.
- Infinite regress of beings is illogical, therefore a single, uncaused causer must be the causer of consciousness.
- This uncaused causer of the conscience is God
Professor John Piippo on the argument from consciousnes
British ex-atheist Anthony Flew on the argument from consciousness
The British ex-atheist Anthony Flew in his book There is a God, points to the existence of consciousness as a problem for atheists.[3]
Atheists on the problem of consciousness
Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness
Objections to the argument from consciousness
- Infinite regress is allowable both in modern mathematics and physics.
- The previous point (that the uncaused causer is God) is unsupported unless it is taken as a statement of definition. If this is the case, the prior arguments are unnecessary.
See also
External links
- How Consciousness Points to the Existence of God - Cold-Case Christianity with J. Warner Wallace
Notes
- ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
- ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
- ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo