Skip to Main Content

Skeptical Theism: New Essays

Online ISBN:
9780191785566
Print ISBN:
9780199661183
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Skeptical Theism: New Essays

Trent Dougherty (ed.),
Trent Dougherty
(ed.)

Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University
Find on
Justin P. McBrayer (ed.)
Justin P. McBrayer
(ed.)

Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Fort Lewis College
Find on
Published online:
21 August 2014
Published in print:
3 July 2014
Online ISBN:
9780191785566
Print ISBN:
9780199661183
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Given that we meet evils in every quarter of the world, could it be governed by an all-good and all-powerful deity? Some philosophers say no and claim that the problem of evil is good evidence for atheism. Other philosophers say yes and claim that all of the evils in our world can be explained as requirements for deeper goods. And still other philosophers say yes but demur on the task of explaining the role of evils in our world. Philosophers who believe in God and yet take this latter route are called “skeptical theists.” Such thinkers are skeptical about human abilities to determine whether the evils in our world could be justifiably allowed by a being such as God. Despite believing in God, these philosophers insist that humans are not cognitively equipped to discern many of the reasons that might be available to God. This collection of essays presents cutting-edge work on skeptical theistic responses to the problem of evil and the persistent objections that such responses invite. Part I investigates the epistemology of skepticism as it applies to evils and the nature of epistemic humility. Part II explores the tenability of a particular epistemic principle about the conditions of reasonable epistemic access (CORNEA). The remaining sections of the book address objections to sceptical theism, namely the objection that skeptical theism undermines the theistic life (Part III) and the objection that skeptical theism undermines the moral life (Part IV).

Contents
Close
This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

Close

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

View Article Abstract & Purchase Options

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Close