Tag: philosophy

Can Objective Morality Exist Without God? (Round 3)

Yesterday marked the conclusion of my debate with Steven Dillion on objective morality and the existence of God. Here’s everything, in case you missed any of it: Monday (11/4) – Joe’s opening statement (affirmative)Tuesday (11/5) – Steven’s opening statement (negative)Wednesday (11/6) – Joe’s rebuttal (affirmative)Thursday (11/7) – Steven’s rebuttal (negative)Friday (11/8) – Questions exchanged (three questions each)Saturday (11/9) – Answers (Joe and Steven answer each other’s questions)Sunday… Continue reading Can Objective Morality Exist Without God? (Round 3)

Of Thick Trees and Morality: An Analogy.

Envision in your mind an enormous tree containing many limbs, which branch off into smaller branches, which branch off into twigs, which sprout leaves. The branches and foliage are so thick that you can’t see the  trunk of the tree at all. Alexandre Calame, Landscape with Oak (1859) Although you can’t see the trunk, you… Continue reading Of Thick Trees and Morality: An Analogy.

How the NSA Wiretapping Scandal Reveals God’s Immanence and Transcendence

A while back, I was in an Eastern Orthodox church that had two large depictions of Jesus. The first was an enormous depiction on the ceiling, showing Christ in glory. The second was along the back wall, behind the altar: it was a depiction of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child in her womb.… Continue reading How the NSA Wiretapping Scandal Reveals God’s Immanence and Transcendence

How Train Cars and Set Theory Prove the Existence of God

Perhaps the strongest argument against atheism is the argument from contingency. In its barest form, it goes something like this: A. All of reality, without exception, breaks down into one of two possible categories: (1) that which is contingent, and (2) that which is non-contingent. Let me explain what I mean by both the terms,… Continue reading How Train Cars and Set Theory Prove the Existence of God

The Single Best Argument Against Philosophical Materialism?

Robert Ritchie, commenting on Wednesday’s post refuting philosophical materialism, raised another important line of argumentation: that we can see that philosophical materialism is false because of “the reliability of our cognitive functions.” Ritchie described the argument as “exceedingly powerful,” and “for my money, is the best single argument against materialism.” I’ll let you be the judge… Continue reading The Single Best Argument Against Philosophical Materialism?

Does the Immaterial Exist?

One of the most common arguments from atheists is that matter is all that there is, and that the immaterial (God, angels, the human soul, etc.) simply doesn’t exist. This position is generally called “philosophical materialism,” although that term encompasses a number of distinct positions. In any case, here’s one of the clearest presentations of… Continue reading Does the Immaterial Exist?

Ten Things I Learned in My First Year of Seminary

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind: classes ended, I had three papers and four finals, I went to Clear Creek Monastery for a few days, and four of our men were ordained deacons. As I make the transition from being in seminary to spending the summer at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, I wanted… Continue reading Ten Things I Learned in My First Year of Seminary

Is Abortion Self-Defense? A Defense of Bishop Olmsted

If the heading above sounds like a silly question, it’s because it is.  But it’s one being raised by TurretinFan in his Christmas day assault on Bishop Olmsted’s good name.  I became involved in the debate somewhat against my will.  TF linked to this post, saying (in part): I was also struck by the fact… Continue reading Is Abortion Self-Defense? A Defense of Bishop Olmsted

Is God’s Omnipotence Self-Refuting?

The University of Cambridge has a series called Investigating Atheism, which calmly and fairly lays out the most popular arguments for atheism.  One of the arguments had a twist I’d never heard before, so I thought I’d go ahead and respond to it: Another traditional argument claims that there is a logical incoherence involved in… Continue reading Is God’s Omnipotence Self-Refuting?