Introduction to the Study of Religion

Proofs for (and Against) the Existence of God

Online reading
(see class schedule for due date)

There are a number of classic philosophical arguments for the existence of God. No such argument is a perfect "proof" although they all try to be. They all have their counter arguments. There is also one strong philosophical argument against the existence of God (the "Problem of Evil").

You, as part of a small group of classmates, will be assigned to read one or another of these arguments and the related counter arguments. You are to come to class prepared to discuss, in small groups, what you read, sharing your understanding or lack thereof with your classmates, helping each other to better understand. You will then join a second small group of students who have familiarized themselves with the other arguments. In this second group, each student will be the "resident expert" summarizing for and learning from each other one or another of the arguments.

Reading assignments for each argument (do just the readings assigned to you):

General resource for all the arguments: Lost in the Cosmos considers the traditional and non-traditional proofs for the existence of God.

This is a great site with an attractive, multimedia homepage. Contains the major classic arguments all in one site. Presents introductions, presents and explains the arguments in simple language, then provides on-site links to objections (counter arguments). Includes: Anselm, Aquinas, Paley and Pascal as well as the "Problem of Evil" argument against the existence of God.

Don't just read the introductions - be sure to follow the links and read the argument and (when available) the objections/criticisms.

Don't stop with "Lost in the Cosmos." Here are some additional, more specific readings for each argument (to help you to better understand and appreciate them):

1. The Ontological Argument (St. Anselm): 

In addition to the presentation at Lost in the cosmos

ANSELM ON GOD'S EXISTENCE includes historical background preface and the entire original argument

Medieval Proofs for the Existence of God Anselm of Canterbury and Thomas Aquinas / Translated by David Burr. A fairly complete presentation of the original arguments but lacks discussion to help the reader understand (Anselm's argument is presented in the first half of this page).

AQUINAS' AND ANSELM'S ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD IN SYLLOGISTIC FORM: a very brief summary outline mostly of Aquinas' "five ways" but also includes a helpful summary outline of Anselm's argument.

Objections to Anselm's ontological argument

Anselm's argument the the objections explained

2. The Cosmological Argument (Thomas Aquinas):

Lost in the Cosmos (noted above) only presents one of Aquinas' five arguments. These sources will familiarize you with the others:

Whether God Exists presents the five arguments

Medieval Proofs for the Existence of God Anselm of Canterbury and Thomas Aquinas / Translated by David Burr. A more complete presentation of the original arguments (Aquinas' argument is presented in the second half of this page).

St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways: a simple explanation but lacks original text (should help you to better understand the material at the above noted site)

AQUINAS' AND ANSELM'S ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD IN SYLLOGISTIC FORM: a very brief summary outline mostly of Aquinas' "five ways"

The Thomistic Cosmological Argument: An in-depth explanation of the " third way" (that God's existence is necessary) with objections and responses.

Objections to Aquinas (from Gentle Godlessness: A Compassionate Introduction to Atheism)

Mistakes of Aquinas: criticisms of Aquinas' five arguments

(More on Aquinas' philosophy can be found at the Thomistic Philosophy Page)

3. The Teleological Argument/Argument from Design (William Paley and Aquinas' fifth "way"):

In addition to the presentation at Lost in the cosmos

William Paley and the intelligent design argument: Background information and a summary of the argument, including an excerpt (but not the entire argument) with explanation.

Paley's Teleological Argument For The Existence Of God: a simple, summary explanation but lacks original text

Objections to the Teleological argument (the second half of this page) (from Gentle Godlessness: A Compassionate Introduction to Atheism)

4. Pascal's Wager:

In addition to the presentation at Lost in the cosmos

Pascal's Wager from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Complete with introduction, the argument, the objections and an extensive bibliography

PASCAL'S WAGER From Dr. Doug Browning briefly reviews the argument and discusses Pascal's assumptions and problems with the argument

An Atheist's Wager presents the argument in summary, discusses the flaws and offers an alternate "bet"

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy presents the arguments and several objections

5. The Problem of Evil (theodicy):

In addition to the presentation at Lost in the cosmos

Arguments for the nonexistence in God - the "Existence of Evil" is discussed in the middle of the page  (from Gentle Godlessness: A Compassionate Introduction to Atheism)

The Problem of Evil and Christian response

Additional general sites on some of these and other arguments:

Arguments for the Existence of God: General Information

Proof for the Existence of God: a brief summary of various arguments for and against, providing links to additional online references

Gentle Godlessness: A Compassionate Introduction to Atheism refuting the classic (and other) arguments, presenting arguments for and discussion about atheism and agnosticism

Interested in pursuing this issue further? The Existence of God page provides plenty of resources - both books and links to other Web pages - related to the debate regarding God's existence. 

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