RELG 2260 Lecture 17: Lecture 17 - Hicks
16 Feb 2017
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2 kinds of naturalistic (antitheistic, atheistic) argument: negative & positive. Negative argument: all things in the universe can be described without a religious view (so a religious view is unnecessary) Positive argument: there are things which are in fact incompatible with a religious view. (suffering and evil in the world) The development of the cosmos, and human capabilities, can be explained naturalistically. The existence of the cosmos is beyond naturalistic explanation; but, then again, on the theistic side, God or the absolute are similarly beyond theistic explanation. (beyond human explanation) Basic naturalism: gods and absolutes are human projections, means for finding warmth in a cold cosmos. Feuerbach: god is the personification of human ideals. Religion can be a psychological crutch, providing support in times of trouble. But this by itself doesn"t prove that religious claims are false: also, religion can bring anxiety as well as hope; it does not always fulfill wishes.
