Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

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

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Postulating God's existence to bridge this gap commits th... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Belief in God is a rational postulate required by practical reason

    Postulating God's existence to bridge this gap commits the wishful-thinking fallacy: deriving metaphysical conclusions from practical desiderata rather than evidence.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Inference to best explanation requires empirical evidence; non-evidential desires cannot justify metaphysical claims about reality.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.History shows wishful thinking (alchemy, phrenology) produces unfalsifiable claims; God-hypotheses often resist empirical testing similarly.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If we permit desire-based reasoning for God, consistency demands accepting equally ungrounded conclusions from others' competing desires.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Identifying *why* someone finds a hypothesis attractive doesn't prove the hypothesis false—motivation and truth are logically independent.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Theists argue God explains actual phenomena (cosmology, consciousness, morality); God-belief rests on these evidential arguments, not mere desire.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The charge assumes non-believers lack desires; secular worldviews also fulfill practical desiderata (meaning without transcendence), yet aren't dismissed as fallacious.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

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

    Connections

    2 topics

    Natural Theology1 linkedDivine Attributes1 linked

    Related

    Belief in God is a rational postulate required by practical reasonHistory shows wishful thinking (alchemy, phrenology) produces unfalsifiable clai...Identifying *why* someone finds a hypothesis attractive doesn't prove the hypoth...If we permit desire-based reasoning for God, consistency demands accepting equal...
    +3 moreShow less
    Inference to best explanation requires empirical evidence; non-evidential desire...The charge assumes non-believers lack desires; secular worldviews also fulfill p...Theists argue God explains actual phenomena (cosmology, consciousness, morality)...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit