Socratic Dialogue on Postmodernism
Preface As Nicholas Rescher notes in Chapter 3 of Metaphilosophy: Philosophy in Philosophical Perspective, philosophy can be articulated in several ways, including the essay, the medieval scholastic treatise, and the dialogue format. In what follows, I provide a philosophical evaluation of postmodernism using the dialogue format. In honor of the first masters of dialogue – … Continue reading Socratic Dialogue on Postmodernism
Logical Moments & the Structure of God’s Knowledge
By Kirk MacGregor
Recently Tim Stratton wrote a response to the following question: “On the framework of Molinism, if there are multiple “logical moments” (not to be confused with chronological moments) prior to God’s creative decree, then would this not imply that God knows and does not know a truth simultaneously? If so, is this not a contradiction … Continue reading Logical Moments & the Structure of God’s Knowledge
Why Anselm’s Argument in Chapter 2 of Proslogium has Modal Significance
It is commonly held that Anselm’s argument in Chapter 2 of Proslogium is not a modally-significant argument, but that his argument in Chapter 3 possesses such significance. For example, in the first paragraph of Anselm’s Neglected Argument, Brian Leftow refers to the argument in Chapter 2 as “non-modal” and to the argument in Chapter 3 … Continue reading Why Anselm’s Argument in Chapter 2 of Proslogium has Modal Significance
Does Anselm’s Ontological Argument in Proslogium Two Presuppose that Existence is a Property?
Introduction In this article, I will briefly argue for the following theses: (a) it is not clear that Anselm’s ontological argument in Chapter Two of Proslogium presupposes that existence is a property, and (b) Anselm’s argument presupposes that objectivity and subjectivity are properties. Argument It is commonly held that, in Chapter Two of Proslogium, Anselm … Continue reading Does Anselm’s Ontological Argument in Proslogium Two Presuppose that Existence is a Property?
Philosophical Notes on the Underground: Three
“More than that: you say that then science itself will teach man (though this, to my mind, is already a luxury) that he really does not possess, and never did possess, either a will or a whim of his own; that he is, in fact, no more than a kind of piano key or organ … Continue reading Philosophical Notes on the Underground: Three
The Kalam Cosmological Argument, Part One
Introduction The kalam cosmological argument is both historically and currently significant. William Lane Craig, the leading contemporary advocate of the argument, has dubbed it the kalam argument in recognition of its origin in the work of Medieval Muslim philosophers such as al-Ghazali.[1] The argument continues to interest philosophers and theologians. Its structure is simple: Whatever … Continue reading The Kalam Cosmological Argument, Part One
Philosophical Notes on the Underground: Two
I closed Note One by calling Underground Man “grouchy.”[1] That is an understatement. The man admits to being spiteful. He hates his neighbors, practices cruelty, and delights in the misfortune of others. He even claims to take pleasure in his own pain and bitterness, some of which is self-induced. For example: “I reached a point … Continue reading Philosophical Notes on the Underground: Two
How to Discover Evidence of Racism
By Wintery Knight
A note from Tim: FreeThinking Ministries opposes and condemns racism in any form or fashion! We affirm that all humans are created equal and in the “image of God.” The primary purpose of FreeThinking Ministries is to “Equip the Church to engage the culture.” With that said, we recognize two (of many) problems in the culture … Continue reading How to Discover Evidence of Racism
Sailing Between Scylla & Charybdis: A Discussion Regarding Patriotism
By Leroy A. Hill
Appropriate love for country must sail between the Scylla and Charybdis of our times: cynicism and jingoism. In Greek mythology, “Scylla and Charybdis were thought to inhabit the Straits of Messina, the narrow sea between Sicily and the Italian mainland. Preying on passing mariners, Scylla was a terrible creature with six heads and twelve feet, … Continue reading Sailing Between Scylla & Charybdis: A Discussion Regarding Patriotism
Philosophical Notes on the Underground: One
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) In Part 1 of Notes from Underground, Dostoyevsky’s Underground Man claims that consciousness is a disease.[1] In a loose sense, given certain assumptions, Underground Man makes a significant point. In a strict sense, however, he is wrong. Let me explain. First, we … Continue reading Philosophical Notes on the Underground: One
Ethical Or Expedient? The True Philosophy Behind Abortion
By Madelyn Wood
An American outcry has erupted recently in response to newly legislated restrictions on abortion in certain states. Outraged, public figures have gone so far as to boycott Georgia, an entire state, in protest. Why have the American people fought so hard against abortion restrictions and pushed so vehemently for full-term, easily accessible abortions for all? … Continue reading Ethical Or Expedient? The True Philosophy Behind Abortion
Does the Bible Promote Slavery?
By Ryan Leasure
“Consult the Bible, and you will discover that the creator of the universe clearly expects us to keep slaves.” 1 This provocative statement by atheist Sam Harris is meant to cast shade on the God of the Bible. After all, if civilized humanity overwhelmingly condemns slavery, why should we worship a God who thinks it’s acceptable? The … Continue reading Does the Bible Promote Slavery?
Abortion Rights: An Oxymoron
By Madelyn Wood
The New York Times recently published an article entitled “How Abortion Rights Will Die a Death by 1,000 Cuts: Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court would mean the demise of not just abortion rights but also a century of progressive reforms.” Author Mayeri’s strongly worded article argues that the Conservative Political Party is pushing … Continue reading Abortion Rights: An Oxymoron
I was forced out of my PhD program because of my open faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s my story.
By Corey Miller
While as an undergrad at Salt Lake Community College in 1991, I gave a presentation in front of my humanities 101 class arguing Jesus Christ is the messiah, citing evidence for his resurrection. My professor literally cut me off during my presentation and told me it was over, that I couldn’t proceed. He later informed … Continue reading I was forced out of my PhD program because of my open faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s my story.
The Normative Ethics of Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame
By Elliott Crozat
As Tim Stratton has aptly noted in Avengers: Endgame, Middle Knowledge, & the Destruction of the Problem of Evil[1] and in the FreeThinking Podcast episodes 63 – 65, Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame are rich in philosophical content. In this article, I briefly examine the normative ethics of these films. The villain of … Continue reading The Normative Ethics of Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame
A Response to “10 Reasons Reading the Bible Makes Me More Progressive”
By Steve Williams
“A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.” — Proverbs 25: 26 While there are a few points I agree with in the recent article 10 Reasons Reading the Bible Makes Me More Progressive by Benjamin L. Corey, I respectfully think that Mr. Corey has made some … Continue reading A Response to “10 Reasons Reading the Bible Makes Me More Progressive”