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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
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    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that God is really possible (i.e., God's existence involves no contradiction)

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Conceivability without detected contradiction does not entail real possibility, as Kant showed with the 'I think' accompanying all representations.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Our cognitive apparatus may be systematically incapable of detecting contradictions in concepts that involve the actual infinite or necessary existence.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Hume's Conceivability Principle cuts both ways: we can conceive God's non-existence with equal clarity, undermining the asymmetric inference to possibility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Gaunilo and later Kant established that 'existence' and 'necessary existence' are not genuine predicates that can coherently populate a concept's content.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If necessary existence cannot be a real predicate, then the concept of God as necessarily existing being is formally incoherent, not merely undetectably contradictory.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Clear and distinct ideas produced in us by reason are reliable guides to real possibility
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.We can clearly and distinctly perceive no contradiction in our idea of God's nature
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If a clear and distinct idea contains no contradiction, the corresponding thing is really possible
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.