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    Carmelics

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    If the theist restricts the premise to only 'deepest' or ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→If theism is true, there is a strong case that universal or near-universal human desires are desires for which satisfaction is possible.

    If the theist restricts the premise to only 'deepest' or 'properly ordered' desires, the argument becomes circular, presupposing the very theological anthropology it was meant to establish.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Distinguishing 'deepest' desires requires prior theological commitments about human nature and divine purpose.
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    • 2.Without independent criteria for what counts as 'properly ordered,' the restriction becomes unfalsifiable.
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    • 3.The argument thus assumes the conclusion: that God-directed desires are fundamental, rather than deriving it.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
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    • 1.All philosophical arguments must restrict premises to relevant cases; restriction alone doesn't entail circularity.
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    • 2.Empirical psychology supports distinguishing deep intrinsic desires from superficial wants independently of theology.
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    • 3.The restriction could be justified on naturalistic grounds first, then used to support theistic conclusions.
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    Key Terms

    Circular reasoning (or circular argument)(in logic and argumentation)
    A logical fallacy where you use your conclusion as evidence to prove itself, going in a circle instead of actually proving anything—like saying 'X is true because X is true.'
    Premise
    A premise is a statement or fact that you assume to be true as a starting point for reasoning or making an argument. Think of it as the foundation or building block you use to reach a conclusion—for example, "All dogs are animals" and "My pet is a dog" are premises that lead to the conclusion "My pet is an animal." Premises are essentially the evidence or claims you offer before drawing a final conclusion.
    Presupposing(what the externalist secretly assumes in their reasoning)
    To assume something is already true without proving it, usually without realizing you're doing it.
    Theist(describes the person making the argument about God)
    Someone who believes that God (or gods) exists.
    theological anthropology(as the theory that the argument was supposed to establish)
    A branch of theology that studies what humans are and what makes us human from a religious or God-centered perspective.

    Connections

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    Afterlife & Death1 linked

    Related

    All philosophical arguments must restrict premises to relevant cases; restrictio...Distinguishing 'deepest' desires requires prior theological commitments about hu...Empirical psychology supports distinguishing deep intrinsic desires from superfi...If theism is true, there is a strong case that universal or near-universal human...
    +3 moreShow less
    The argument thus assumes the conclusion: that God-directed desires are fundamen...The restriction could be justified on naturalistic grounds first, then used to s...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Without independent criteria for what counts as 'properly ordered,' the restrict...