logic and the existence of God

[humanistj]

For the course that I am currently teaching we are required to do 4 out of the 8 sections in an optional (online) chapter on logic. In the introduction of this chapter, the author puts forth three of the most famous examples of arguments for the existence of God. Two out of the three are given by St. Thomas Aquinas. After the author introduces

Comments

[hokie]

I say discuss it (since religion is one of those places where critical thinking skills tend to completely fail most people), but also bring up some other cases of fallacious but popular arguments, maybe something involving pseudoscience.

[humanistj]

I thought about including some sort of design argument. I may ask one of my profs (of the like-minded variety) for advice.

[smatterings]

I say include them. You have to be prepared to enforce a logical discussion rather than an emotional one, though.

As for counterexamples, by all means do it. However, be careful to use examples from *logic*. Most of pro- and anti- ID arguments proport to be based on science, i.e., evidence. A more appropriate example would be an atheist argument in the form of a logical supposition.

I never took a logic class, and my Intro. to Philosophy class was ages ago. Talking to you and Kate makes me wanna take a month off and read. :-)

[humanistj]

What's interesting is that most arguments are logically sound; however, the problem occurs in what's assumed. The ID argument is one of deduction. Basically, if something appears to be designed, then there must have been a designer. It's a little more complicated than that, but most ID proponents are big fans of philosophical/mathematical arguments.

We've spent two lectures on this stuff, and I have yet to discuss the god question. My main worry was the emotional response that I would expect from some of my students.