God of the gaps is a type of theological perspective in which gaps in scientific knowledge are taken to be evidence or proof of God's existence. The term was invented by Christian theologians not to discredit theism but rather to point out the fallacy of relying on teleological arguments for God's existence. Nonetheless, in current usage, it refers to a specific form of the argument from ignorance fallacy.
Read more about God Of The Gaps: Origins of The Term, General Usage, Usage in Referring To A Type of Argument, Criticism
Famous quotes containing the words god of the, god and/or gaps:
““Be careful what you do,
Or Mumbo-Jumbo, god of the Congo,
And all of the other
Gods of the Congo,
Mumbo-Jumbo will hoo-doo you,”
—Vachel Lindsay (1879–1931)
“Muhammad is the Messenger of God,
and those who are with him are hard
against the unbelievers, merciful
one to another. Thou seest them
bowing, prostrating, seeking bounty
from God and good pleasure. Their
mark is on their faces, the trace of
prostration....
God has promised
those of them who believe and do deeds
of righteousness forgiveness and
a mighty wage.”
—Qur’An. Victory 48:35, ed. Arthur J. Arberry (1955)
“... if we take the universe of ‘fitting,’ countless coats ‘fit’ backs, and countless boots ‘fit’ feet, on which they are not practically fitted; countless stones ‘fit’ gaps in walls into which no one seeks to fit them actually. In the same way countless opinions ‘fit’ realities, and countless truths are valid, tho no thinker ever thinks them.”
—William James (1842–1910)