tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post677342463464858599..comments2024-03-29T05:55:32.588-07:00Comments on Edward Feser: Oderberg’s Real EssentialismEdward Feserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13643921537838616224noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-64784189861541589792009-05-18T23:01:00.000-07:002009-05-18T23:01:00.000-07:00Professor Feser:
In this moment, I'm reading the ...Professor Feser:<br /><br />In this moment, I'm reading the book "The Devil's Delusion" by philosopher/mathematician David Berlinki.<br /><br />Commenting on the following Aquinas' (second cosmological) argument on God's existence "<I>If the universe might never have existed, then for sure at some time or other it did exist</I>"<br /><br />Berlinski writes "<B>When this premise is placed in hot type on cold paper, suspicions arise that it covers an inference that Aquinas cannot support. The steps involved in passing from "I exist to I might exist", they are fine. The additional steps that carry the metaphysician from "It might not exist" to at one time "I did not" (or will not) exist", they are fine too. They are as fine as metaphysical inferences ever get. <br /><br />But to suppose that precisely the same steps carry the universe from "it might not exist" to "it did not exist" suggests the fallacy of composition at work, as when the set of turtles is said to be a turtle on the grounds that its members are all turtles. One for all and all for one is not a principle of metaphysics. <br /><br />A universe of perishable things is not necessarily perishable. This objection does not by itself close the case. No case in metaphysics or theology is ever closed. But it does indicate that some further argument is needed, and this Aquinas does not provide.</B>" (p. 86)<br /><br />What do you think of Berlinski's criticism? Is it correct?<br /><br />Berlinski's book is a lot of fun and he also shows Dawkins' misrepresentations when criticizing Aquinas' arguments, and expose many of the new atheists inconsistencies.Zetetic_chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06520593161180787019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-60229894068061781662009-05-18T13:10:00.000-07:002009-05-18T13:10:00.000-07:00Out of interest, Ed, do you happen to know what in...Out of interest, Ed, do you happen to know what influences Routledge's decisions to bring out their ugly blue hardbacks in paberback? Is it just to do with HOW WELL the hardback sells?<br /><br />J.P. Morelands book "Consciousness and the existence of God" has also recently been put out in paperback. ALso from Routledge.Fingersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-6661128145694469922009-05-18T10:42:00.000-07:002009-05-18T10:42:00.000-07:00Excellent News, now if only I can finnish summa co...Excellent News, now if only I can finnish summa contra Gentiless.....Just another mad Catholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10503510474554718305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-23185947117053174442009-05-16T20:23:00.000-07:002009-05-16T20:23:00.000-07:00This is going to be kick-ass! (Pardon my French)This is going to be kick-ass! (Pardon my French)Matt Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18243180819805009566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-70412734615944532402009-05-16T19:06:00.000-07:002009-05-16T19:06:00.000-07:00Welcome news indeed!Welcome news indeed!Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13623170987747998335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8954608646904080796.post-10291025398595454212009-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:002009-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:00Thanks for the heads up - I look forward to readin...Thanks for the heads up - I look forward to reading this one cover to cover.Crudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04178390947423928444noreply@blogger.com