Question 1

The anthropic principle plays a key role in the debate concerning

Accepted Answer

The anthropic principle is the philosophical principle that explains the apparent fine-tuning of the universe for the existence of life. It suggests that the universe appears fine-tuned because if it were not, humans and other intelligent life would not exist to observe and study it. This principle plays a key role in the debate concerning the fine-tuned universe argument, which argues that the fine-tuning of the universe is evidence for the existence of a designer or creator.

Question 2

A criticism of the cosmological argument mentioned in the text is

Accepted Answer

The cosmological argument faces several criticisms, including the possibility of an infinite series of causes (A), the idea that the uncaused cause could be something other than a deity, such as matter or energy (B), and the challenge to the concept of necessary existence (C). These criticisms address different aspects of the argument, questioning its premises and logical coherence.

Question 3

The notion of "specified complexity" is a term identified with which position?

Accepted Answer

The concept of "specified complexity" is a key part of the argument made by anti-Darwinian intelligent design theorists, who argue that certain features of living organisms cannot be explained by natural selection and instead require the involvement of an intelligent designer.

Question 4

Which authors defended versions of the cosmological argument in your readings?

Accepted Answer

In my readings, Thomas Aquinas and Richard Taylor were the authors who defended versions of the cosmological argument. St. Anselm defended the ontological argument, while William Paley defended the teleological argument. Blaise Pascal and William James were not known for defending the cosmological argument.

Question 5

The principle of sufficient reason states that

Accepted Answer

The principle of sufficient reason asserts that everything that exists must have a reason that explains its existence and its properties. This principle is often used in metaphysics to argue for the existence of a necessary being that provides a sufficient reason for the existence of everything else.

Question 6

Pascal's discussion of gambling and religious belief is intended to show that

Accepted Answer

Pascal's Wager argues that it is a better "bet" to believe in God because if God exists, the believer gains infinitely (eternal happiness), and if God does not exist, the believer loses little or nothing. Thus, there is more to gain and less to risk in believing in God, which is the essence of choice A.

Question 7

According to your text,perspectivalism claims that science and religion

Accepted Answer

Perspectivalism claims that science and religion describe reality in different but compatible ways. Therefore, they do not conflict, even though they have different perspectives on the nature of reality.

Question 8

In his refutation of the teleological argument,David Hume argues that

Accepted Answer

David Hume's critique of the teleological argument encompasses all these points: he argues that the analogy between human creations and the universe is weak (A), points out that we have no other universes to compare with this one to make a fair assessment (B), and suggests that if the universe is indeed a creation, then the creator might share the limitations of human creators (C).

Question 9

W.K.Clifford's story of the shipowner was intended to make the point that

Accepted Answer

Clifford's story was intended to promote the idea that it is always wrong to believe anything without sufficient evidence, and that belief without evidence can have harmful consequences. The shipowner, in Clifford's story, believed his ship was seaworthy without sufficient evidence, and as a result, lives were lost.

Question 10

Anselm's argument may be viewed as a reductio ad absurdum argument because

Accepted Answer

Anselm's argument begins with the premise that God does not exist in reality, which leads to a contradiction and ultimately proves that God must exist. This is a classic example of a reductio ad absurdum argument, where one starts with a premise that is opposite of what one wants to prove and shows that it leads to an absurd conclusion.

Question 11

Gaunilo's point concerning the island is that

Accepted Answer

Gaunilo's point is a reductio ad absurdum of Anselm's ontological argument. He argues that if the argument is valid, then it could be used to prove the existence of things like a perfect island, which is absurd. Therefore, Gaunilo's point is that the ontological argument fails to prove the necessary existence of anything, including God.

Question 12

The claim that evolution explains how our physical bodies evolved but the spiritual soul is a divine creation was presented as an example of which position?

Accepted Answer

Territorialism is the position that science and religion address different domains of reality (the physical and the spiritual, respectively) without overlapping, which aligns with the claim presented.

Question 13

On the relationship between science and religion,your book described René Descartes as an advocate of which position?

Accepted Answer

René Descartes is often associated with territorialism, which suggests that science and religion occupy separate domains and should not interfere with each other.

Question 14

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution raised problems for which theistic argument?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution challenged the teleological argument, also known as the argument from design, which asserts that the complexity and orderliness of the natural world are evidence of an intelligent designer, i.e., God. Darwin's theory of natural selection proposed a naturalistic explanation for the development of species, rendering the need for an intelligent designer unnecessary. As a result, the teleological argument lost some of its force as a proof of God's existence.

Question 15

A posteriori arguments are arguments that are based on

Accepted Answer

A posteriori arguments rely on empirical evidence and experience, rather than faith, divine revelation, or pure logic and reason alone.

Question 16

Natural theology is

Accepted Answer

Natural theology is the attempt to prove the existence of God through reason and experience alone, without relying on divine revelation. It seeks to understand God's attributes and nature by observing the natural world around us. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect, as nature is not divine but a creation of God. Option C is incorrect as it involves using divine revelation, which goes beyond the scope of natural theology. Option D is incorrect as natural theology affirms the existence of a supernatural being, namely God.

Question 17

Which of the following is a premise in Anselm's argument?

Accepted Answer

Anselm's argument, specifically the ontological argument, includes the premise that existence in reality is greater than existence in the mind alone. This is central to his argument for the existence of God.

Question 18

The teleological argument argues for the existence of God on the basis of

Accepted Answer

The teleological argument, also known as the argument from design, argues that the evidence of complexity and order in the universe can only be the result of deliberate design, and therefore, the existence of a creator or designer (i.e. God). This argument relies on the observation of regularities and patterns in nature such as the orbit of heavenly bodies or the structure of DNA that suggest an intelligent mind is behind their existence.

Question 19

In his argument for God,William Paley uses the analogy of

Accepted Answer

William Paley uses the analogy of a watch found upon the ground to argue for the existence of God. He argues that just as a watch implies the existence of a watchmaker, the intricate design and complexity of the natural world implies the existence of a designer or creator, which he identifies as God.

Question 20

Another name for agnosticism is

Accepted Answer

Agnosticism is often referred to as religious skepticism because it is the belief that the existence or non-existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be proven. It is a position of skepticism towards religious claims and beliefs. Atheism (B) is the belief that God or gods do not exist, and theism (C) is the belief in the existence of a God or gods. Fideism (D) is the belief that faith is above reason and cannot be justified by reason or evidence.

Quiz 4: The Search for God