Category: The Soul
Libet’s Experiment & Libertarian Free Will
The focus of my graduate studies and one of the inspirations for this website (freethinkingministries.com) is an issue that has been under much dispute for quite some time. What is this hot topic? FREE WILL. Specifically, the topic of my research is in regards to libertarian free will. Many philosophers, scientists, and even theologians reject … Continue reading Libet’s Experiment & Libertarian Free Will
Can Evolution Account for Rationality?
The topic of my master’s thesis while at Biola University focused on what it means to genuinely be a “freethinker.” This argument — called the Freethinking Argument Against Naturalism — deductively proves that not only does libertarian free will exist, but so does the human soul. If the human soul exists, then the worldview of naturalism goes … Continue reading Can Evolution Account for Rationality?
The Freethinking Argument in a Nutshell
EDIT (1-9-24): When one Googles “The Free-Thinking Argument,” this blog article is often at the top of the list. While the big ideas behind this blog are true, the Free-Thinking Argument has evolved and been defended with more philosophical precision in recent years. After reading this article, please see the peer-reviewed academic journal article I co-authored … Continue reading The Freethinking Argument in a Nutshell
Can We Choose Our Beliefs?
Am I responsible for my beliefs or does something else impose them upon me? What do you believe? How do you know those beliefs you hold are any good (let alone true)? Many philosophers, scientists, and theologians today reject the idea that humans can ever make genuine choices. I freely think they are wrong as it sure seems as … Continue reading Can We Choose Our Beliefs?
Compatibilistic Free Will: Can you have your cake & eat it too?
I have spent the majority of my academic career contemplating free will. For over a decade I held the view of theological determinism and labeled myself as a “Calvinist.” For years I rejected the notion that humans were free to think or act in a libertarian sense. I found it interesting that when I began to … Continue reading Compatibilistic Free Will: Can you have your cake & eat it too?
Freethinking Atheists are Oxymorons
Atheists like to label themselves as “freethinkers.” However, if they happen to be right, about the non-existence of God, it follows that it is highly implausible that the immaterial aspect of humanity called a “soul” exists. This has led me to the conclusion that it is impossible for an atheist to really be a “free thinker!” … Continue reading Freethinking Atheists are Oxymorons
The B-Theory of Time, Rationality, & Knowledge
In my last article I demonstrated that if a committed atheist rejects the logical conclusion of the Kalam Cosmological Argument by appealing to the B-theory of time, then they must also reject Darwinian evolution as an explanation of primate biological complexity.[1] It follows that if one thinks evolution is true, they must reject the B-theory of … Continue reading The B-Theory of Time, Rationality, & Knowledge
Stephen Fry, Humanism, & Incoherence
The British actor, Stephen Fry, has recently narrated a short animated video in which he advocates the atheistic view of humanism. In my experience, humanism seems to mean different things to different people. According to a quick Google search, humanism is typically defined as: “An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human … Continue reading Stephen Fry, Humanism, & Incoherence