Schellenberg's Argument From Reasonable Nonbelief
A formal presentation of the argument is as follows:
- If there is a God, he is perfectly loving.
- If a perfectly loving God exists, reasonable nonbelief does not occur.
- Reasonable nonbelief occurs.
- No perfectly loving God exists (from 2 and 3).
- Hence, there is no God (from 1 and 4).
In an article revisiting the argument ten years after it was originally proposed, Schellenberg writes that criticism has mainly centered around the second premise. He asserts there are relatively few criticisms questioning the existence of reasonable nonbelief, and almost no theist philosopher objects to the idea that God is perfectly loving.
Read more about this topic: Argument From Nonbelief
Famous quotes containing the words argument and/or reasonable:
“As for Hitler, his professed religion unhesitatingly juxtaposed the God-Providence and Valhalla. Actually his god was an argument at a political meeting and a manner of reaching an impressive climax at the end of speeches.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“Titania. What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet love?
Bottom. I have a reasonable good ear in music. Let’s have the tongs and the bones.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)