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Real Atheology

Real Atheology

By Justin Schieber, Ben Watkins, Ben Bavar, Ryan Downie

Real Atheology is a conversational podcast focusing on contemporary philosophy of religion from an atheist perspective which features discussions, interviews, and debates for philosophy of religion nerds of all metaphysical stripes.
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RA006: Josh Parikh on Resistant Non-Belief

Real AtheologyApr 05, 2017

00:00
52:38
RA049: The End of Divine Hiddenness? (Part 6 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA049: The End of Divine Hiddenness? (Part 6 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

This video is a response to a recent video by Christopher Cloos at Christian Philosophy Academy.

Chris' Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9dldyWQwE&t=1445s In his video, Cloos presents an objection to Schellenberg's divine hiddenness argument from a recent essay by Daniel Howard-Snyder which argues that, possibly, God may hide from people to attain a 'better start' to a relationship with them even while being perfectly loving. I first trace the dialectic between Daniel Howard-Snyder and J.L. Schellenberg before examining Howard-Snyder's most recent attempt to undermine Schellenberg's argument. I conclude that Howard-Snyder's most recent reply fails to undermine Schellenberg's argument. ⁠Web - https://www.realatheology.com⁠ Twitter - ⁠https://twitter.com/RealAtheology⁠

Dec 22, 202326:26
RA048: A Conversation on Divine Hiddenness with Gavin Ortlund (Part 6 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA048: A Conversation on Divine Hiddenness with Gavin Ortlund (Part 6 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

In this video, Justin Schieber joins Dr. Gavin Ortlund for a friendly conversation on Schellenberg's argument from Divine Hiddenness.

Dec 22, 202301:24:12
RA047: Gavin Ortlund is Wrong about Divine Hiddenness (Part 5 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA047: Gavin Ortlund is Wrong about Divine Hiddenness (Part 5 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

A few weeks ago, Gavin Ortlund of Truth Unites released a video exploring the argument from divine hiddenness and giving several objections to it. While I appreciated Gavin's wrestling with the argument, I did not think his objections are successful. This video seeks to respond to those objections by clarifying aspects of Schellenberg's reasoning.


Gavin Ortlund's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d-6UhOS0FE&t=2262s

Nov 29, 202334:11
RA046: The Case for Nonresistant Nonbelief (Part 4 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA046: The Case for Nonresistant Nonbelief (Part 4 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

Welcome back to the Hiddenness Series. In the last episode, we looked at Schellenberg's concept of a nonresistant nonbeliever which plays a central role in his argument from Divine Hiddenness. To refresh, somebody is a nonresistant nonbeliever if they (1) fail to believe that God exists and (2) that failure is not the result of their resistance to God. We also looked at the concept of resistance at play here and we saw that it included a desire component in conjunction with actions or omissions driven by that desire. Certain desire/action/omission combinations, if expressed by a person could conceivably cause that person to fail to believe that God exists even though they did believe to begin with. Some form of Self-deception would have to be at play here. Schellenberg calls such persons resistant nonbelievers and, according to the Hiddenness argument, if a perfectly loving God exists, resisters are the only type of nonbeliever that could exist. However, Schellenberg claims resistant nonbelievers are not the only type of nonbelievers that exist. According to him, some nonbelievers are nonresistant. His argument requires this. But is he correct? Lets take a look.

Nov 02, 202318:51
RA045: What is a Nonresistant Nonbeliever, Really? (Part 3 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA045: What is a Nonresistant Nonbeliever, Really? (Part 3 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

According to Schellenberg’s argument from Divine Hiddenness, a nonresistant nonbeliever is, simply put, somebody who fails to believe in God in such a way that the failure is not itself the result of resistant self-deception. A key premise of the divine hiddenness argument just is the claim that such persons exist and/or have existed in the past. For most people, this premise will appear obvious and this appearance likely the result of their connections and communications with other people. People they know and understand. People they trust and respect. On the other hand, some people claim to be skeptical about this premise. Can we really know that these nonbelievers aren’t resisting? To answer these questions, we’ve got to take a closer look at Schellenberg’s concept of the nonresistant nonbeliever.

Oct 18, 202313:23
RA044: The Argument from Divine Hiddenness (Part 2 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)
Oct 18, 202321:34
RA043: The Varieties of Hidden Experience (Part 1 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

RA043: The Varieties of Hidden Experience (Part 1 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)

Broadly speaking, Arguments from Hiddenness are philosophical arguments with atheistic conclusions arising from the fact that either the felt presence of, the nature of, or the very existence of God is somewhat less clear than we might expect if God existed. As with the problem of evil, there is no single argument from hiddenness. Rather, there is a whole family of arguments united by these ideas. We begin our new hiddenness series with a broad introduction to that family.

Oct 18, 202323:14
RA042: Kenny Pearce on Arguments and How to Have Them Productively

RA042: Kenny Pearce on Arguments and How to Have Them Productively

This is our second discussion with philosopher doctor Kenny Pearce. In this episode we pick up the conversation by discussing Pearce's thoughts on the practice of apologetics in contrast to philosophy. This led to a consideration of what arguments for or against God may need to be retired or deemphasized. In particular, Pearce explains why the moral argument isn't the most promising argument in the theist's bag. We end by discussing strategies for making dialogues in the philosophy of religion more productive, especially between theists and atheists.

Jul 19, 202301:42:12
RA041: Joe Campbell on Hume's Refutation of the Cosmological Argument

RA041: Joe Campbell on Hume's Refutation of the Cosmological Argument

In this episode Ben Watkins continues his series on Hume with a look at section IX of Hume's Dialogue's Concerning Natural Religion. Section IX finds Hume's Demea, Philo, and Cleanthes presenting and subjecting to analysis a cosmological argument for the existence of God. Ben and Dr. Joe Campbell discuss the argument as presented and the various criticisms that Hume brings to bear through his three characters. Dr. Joe Campbell's paper on Section IX of the Dialogues. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40026984

Jul 04, 202301:13:15
RA040: Jeffrey Jay Lowder on Philosophy of Religion

RA040: Jeffrey Jay Lowder on Philosophy of Religion

In this episode, Justin Schieber sits down with Jeffrey Jay Lowder for a wide-ranging interview. Fans of the show will no doubt be familiar with Jeff's work. From founding Infidels.org and the Secular Outpost to his contributions to The Empty Tomb and his several public debates, Jeff has earned his reputation as a fair-minded and philosophically informed atheist. We discuss the origin of infidels.org, Paul Draper's famous argument from Pain and Pleasure and everything in between.

See Jeff's debate with Phil Hernandez

See Jeff's debate with Kevin Vandergriff

See Jeff's debate with Frank Turek

Jeff's youtube channel

Jun 17, 202358:01
RA039: Matthew Adelstein on Utilitarianism and Theism

RA039: Matthew Adelstein on Utilitarianism and Theism

In this episode, Ben Watkins sits down with Matthew Adelstein to discuss utilitarianism and theism. Utilitarianism, in its classical forms, claims that what we morally ought to do is act in ways that would maximize happiness and minimize suffering. This simple moral calculus is open to several important objections, but if true, has important consequences for theism as traditionally conceived. If God morally should create a world that maximizes happiness and minimize suffering, as would be the case if hedonistic act utilitarianism were true, then we are clearly not talking about the actual world. There could be much more happiness and much less suffering, therefore, there is no God as traditionally conceived in the actual world.


Matthew's blog: https://benthams.substack.com/

Jun 04, 202342:51
RA038: Debate: Schieber and Hernandez on the Existence of God.

RA038: Debate: Schieber and Hernandez on the Existence of God.

This debate was between Christian apologist Eric Hernandez and atheist podcaster Justin Schieber. The event was organized by Capturing Christianity and held on May 6, 2023 at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, TX. Visit capturingchristianity.com for this and similar events.

May 16, 202302:21:59
RA037: Bill Vanderburgh on Misinterpretations of Hume’s Of Miracles

RA037: Bill Vanderburgh on Misinterpretations of Hume’s Of Miracles

As a follow up to the last episode which gave a general overview of Hume's famous essay, Ben Watkins interviews philosopher Dr. Bill Vanderburgh on his 2019 book David Hume on Miracles, Evidence, and Probability. The conversation explores some of the reasons the text is often misinterpreted. The importance of placing Hume in his historical context is emphasized in response to common objections.


Get Dr. Vandenburgh's excellent book here: https://www.amazon.com/David-Hume-Miracles-Evidence-Probability-ebook/dp/B07PV79RRL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UDWN1IY3TMUE&keywords=vanderburgh+hume+miracles&qid=1682108975&sprefix=vanderburgh+hume+miracle%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-1

Apr 21, 202336:04
RA036: Ben Watkins on Hume Against the Believability of Miracles

RA036: Ben Watkins on Hume Against the Believability of Miracles

In this episode, Real Atheology co-host Ben Watkins takes us on a tour through parts one and two of Hume's controversial essay 'Of Miracles'. Ben begins by providing context that serves to undercut some popular but ultimately uncharitable readings of Hume's central thesis. With the infamous argument clarified, other common objections are also explored.

Apr 07, 202301:07:17
RA035: Andrew Pavelich on the Moral Problem with the Free Will Defense

RA035: Andrew Pavelich on the Moral Problem with the Free Will Defense

Perhaps the most common response to the problem of evil is an appeal to the goodness of free will. Free will, it is argued, is so good that it justifies God's policy of non-intervention in cases where evil is the result of the free actions of moral agents. in his 2019 article published in The Heythrop Journal titled The Moral Problem with the Free Will Defense Against the Problem of Evil, Dr. Andrew Pavelich argues that there exists a deep disconnect between the theist's appraisal of free will's value and the role it plays in our everyday moral judgements. In Justin's interview with Dr. Pavelich, they discuss the ideas in that paper.

Mar 26, 202301:18:04
RA034: Kenny Pearce on Protestantism, Catholicism, and Apologetics

RA034: Kenny Pearce on Protestantism, Catholicism, and Apologetics

In the second part of Ryan's interview with Dr. Kenny Pearce, they discuss some of the issues surrounding the debate between Protestantism and Catholicism. In the second half the discussion turns to the issue of apologetics and whether there exists a clean distinction between it and philosophy of religion.

Mar 10, 202357:04
RA033: Kenny Pearce on Fruitful Dialogue and the History of Philosophy

RA033: Kenny Pearce on Fruitful Dialogue and the History of Philosophy

In this first part of Ryan Downie’s interview with Dr. Kenny Pearce, strategies for productive dialogue with those who hold opposing views are discussed.  The conversation then turns to discussing the value of historical approaches to philosophy. Finally, they discuss Leibniz contributions to philosophy of religion and the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to cosmological arguments.

Feb 24, 202301:24:08
RA032: Dustin Crummett on Harmony and Hiddenness

RA032: Dustin Crummett on Harmony and Hiddenness

In this, the second half of Justin's interview with Dr. Dustin Crummett, they discuss an early paper of his in which he expands on an objection to the argument from divine hiddenness. The objection, known as the responsibility objection, claims that one reason God might have to keep belief from non-resistant persons is the good of the responsibility on the part of some in helping others learn truths of and about God. We also touch on his recent work on the argument from psychophysical harmony.

Feb 11, 202349:11
RA031: Dustin Crummett on Suffering, Spiders, and Simulations

RA031: Dustin Crummett on Suffering, Spiders, and Simulations

In this episode, Justin Schieber interviews philosopher Dr. Dustin Crummett (dustincrummett.com, https://www.youtube.com/@dustin.crummett, @Dustin_Crummett). Dr. Crummett received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2018, and specializes in social and political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion. In this first of two episodes, we discuss Dr. Crummett's fascinating work relating to the problem of evil.

Jan 27, 202301:00:23
RA030: Michael Hemmingsen on Soul-Making and Social Progress

RA030: Michael Hemmingsen on Soul-Making and Social Progress

In this episode, returning host Justin Schieber interviews Dr. Michael Hemmingsen on his 2020 paper titled Soul-Making and Social Progress which was published in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. John Hick's Soul-Making theodicy, according to which suffering exists to provide opportunities to develop our moral virtue, is a popular response to the problem of evil. In his paper, Dr. Hemmingsen argues that advocates of John Hick's Soul-Making theodicy are thereby committed to opposing social progress.

Jan 13, 202337:45
RA029: Leibnizian Cosmological Arguments with Josh Rasmussen
May 29, 202201:39:24
RA028: Ben Watkins vs Trent Horn Debate Review
Sep 22, 202102:20:13
RA027, Pt. 2: Dr. C.M. Lorkowski on Atheism and Philosophy
Aug 25, 202101:43:20
RA027, Pt. 1: Dr. C.M. Lorkowski on Atheism and Philosophy
Aug 25, 202101:38:52
RA026: Aron Lucas on the Fine Tuning Argument
Sep 23, 201954:41
RA025: Dr. Felipe Leon on Mitigated Modal Skepticism
Jul 12, 201901:06:16
RA024: Interview with Islamic Apologist Zach Christ

RA024: Interview with Islamic Apologist Zach Christ

In this episode, the Bens get a fresh perspective from Zach Christ, a Muslim from America who now lives in Turkey. During the interview, Zach and the Bens compare and contrast the beliefs and philosophical defenses of Islam and Christianity, delving into the concepts of God, miracles, and the afterlife. They also discuss people's attitudes toward Islam in America and Turkey.

Jun 10, 201959:25
RA023: The Argument from Motion

RA023: The Argument from Motion

We're back with a new episode! This time we tackle the Argument from Motion as presented in Ed Feser's book "Five Proofs of the Existence of God".
Feb 04, 201954:36
RA022: Jason Thibodeau on the Euthyphro Dilemma

RA022: Jason Thibodeau on the Euthyphro Dilemma

In this episode the Real Atheologians interview Jason Thibodeau about the famous Euthyphro Dilemma and how to respond to apologists who try to split the dilemma.  Jason is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Cypress College.

Aug 21, 201801:20:25
RA020: Alex Malpass on the Kalam

RA020: Alex Malpass on the Kalam

This is a follow-up episode on the Kalam Cosmological Argument where we interview philosopher Alex Malpass about his upcoming paper, co-authored with Wes Morriston, on the Kalam. Among other things, we discuss potential vs. actual/completed infinities, beginningless pasts, endless futures, and symmetry breakers.

We'd also like to apologize to our Patreons, this episodes our return to properly thanking each of you at the end of the episode. 

Aug 14, 201801:14:21
RA021: Interview with Graham Oppy

RA021: Interview with Graham Oppy

In this episode the Real Atheologians interview philosopher Dr. Graham Oppy.  We discuss the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism, defining naturalism, the Modal Ontological Argument, and a number of issues in contemporary philosophy of religion.

Jul 01, 201801:08:37
RA019: The Kalam Cosmological Argument

RA019: The Kalam Cosmological Argument

This is a new beginning for Real Atheology as Ben Watkins welcomes Ben Bavar and John Lopilato as new co-hosts to the cast. Justin Schieber has taken a break from philosophy of religion in general to focus on college.

We’ve decided to start things off with a Big Bang by tackling the Kalam Cosmological argument!

Jun 03, 201801:03:21
RA018: Scott Davison on Petitionary Prayer

RA018: Scott Davison on Petitionary Prayer

Today I interview Dr. Scott Davison. Dr. Davison is professor of philosophy at Morehead State University where he specializes in Metaphysics, Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion. Dr. Davison and I connected back in May of last year at a conference here in Grand rapids - a science and religion dialogue for which he was the keynote speaker. The presentation was on his recently released a book titled Petitionary Prayer; a Philosophical Investigation. I really enjoyed his analysis and had to have him on the show.

Mar 18, 201835:54
RA017: Erik Wielenberg on Debating Morality

RA017: Erik Wielenberg on Debating Morality

In this episode, Ben Watkins sits down with philosopher Dr. Erik Wielenberg in Raleigh, NC immediately after his debate with philosopher Dr. William Lane Craig at NC state University. The debate, held on February 23rd, 2018, was on the question of what better explains objective moral values and duties. Wielenberg defended a form of godless normative realism while Craig defended a modified divine command theory. The discussion surveys the arguments and responses used in the debate as well as a few other topics in philosophy of religion. 

Mar 04, 201846:17
RA016: What is Skeptical Theism?

RA016: What is Skeptical Theism?

Skeptical Theism is a philosophical position about our ability to make meaningful inferences about what God, if such a being exists, is likely to create or allow. In this episode, Ben and Justin discuss one particular version of Skeptical Theism and the implications it has on arguments from evil and a few other issues as well.

Oct 09, 201729:43
RA015: Debating the Problem of Evil With Justin Schieber and Cameron Bertuzzi

RA015: Debating the Problem of Evil With Justin Schieber and Cameron Bertuzzi

Rather than a live debate, what you are about to hear is an audio performance of an already written debate that’s been going on behind the scenes for the last month or so in the form of a series of essays written in reply to each other. The debate was on the problem of evil and it was between Justin Schieber and Cameron Bertuzzi. The debate clocks in at about an hour.

Aug 28, 201701:08:08
RA014: Paul Moser on Religious Epistemology and God's Elusiveness

RA014: Paul Moser on Religious Epistemology and God's Elusiveness

In this episode Ben Watkins interviews philosopher Dr. Paul Moser. Dr. Moser is Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Professor Moser has published over 80 articles and authored many books including The Elusive God and The Evidence for God; Religious Knowledge Reexamined. Professor Moser’s research interests include epistemology, metaphilosophy, and the philosophy of religion. The interview touches on issues of religious epistemology, the hiddenness of God, and even natural theology.

Aug 02, 201756:24
RA013: Quentin Smith on Natural Evils and Immaterial Minds

RA013: Quentin Smith on Natural Evils and Immaterial Minds

A few weeks back I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview Dr. Quentin Smith. We sat down not far from the Western Michigan University Campus where he was professor of philosophy from 1993 until he retired in 2015. Dr. Smith received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Antioch College and his PhD in philosophy from Boston College. He has written and published over 140 articles and has written and co-written several books including one with William Lane Craig titled Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. While brief, the interview covers a wide variety of subjects from Smith’s 1986 book on The Felt Meanings of the World to his contributions to the problem of evil focusing on Evil Natural Laws as well as his thoughts on some contemporary arguments for God.

Jul 19, 201725:18
RA012: Felipe Leon on Ex Nihilo Creation

RA012: Felipe Leon on Ex Nihilo Creation

For this episode, we interview Dr. Felipe Leon on the metaphysical possibility of creation ex nihilo - or creation ‘out of nothing’. This is an indispensable metaphysical doctrine to classical theists. Dr. Felipe Leon is professor of philosophy at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. He received his M.A and Ph.D at University of California Riverside, and his current research interests are in philosophy of religion and modal epistemology. Recently, Dr. Leon co-edited and contributed to a collection along with Bob Fischer entitled Modal Epistemology After Rationalism. Among other things, the collection indicates the recent trend in modal epistemology to seek the ground of our modal knowledge in empirical sources, such as observation and observation-sensitive theory. Felipe also runs the ex-apologist philosophy of religion blog which has a wealth of fantastic content that listeners to this podcast will no doubt enjoy.

Jul 02, 201754:45
RA011: Counter Apologist on God and Ethics

RA011: Counter Apologist on God and Ethics

For this episode, Ben Watkins and Justin Schieber interview Counter Apologist on the moral argument. The moral argument is an argument about moral ontology and includes a premise which states, if God exists, objective moral values and duties do not exist. We discuss various strategies for interacting with this argument.

Jun 22, 201751:49
RA010: Ozymandias Ramses II on Atheism and Lacktheism

RA010: Ozymandias Ramses II on Atheism and Lacktheism

Youtuber Ozymandias Ramses joins Justin Schieber and Ben Watkins to discuss competing contemporary definitions of atheism. Agnosticism and the burden of proof or justification are also discussed.

May 31, 201758:21
RA009: Wes Morriston on Moral Freedom and The Moral Argument

RA009: Wes Morriston on Moral Freedom and The Moral Argument

For this episode of Real Atheology, Justin Schieber and Ben Watkins interview philosopher Wes Morriston. Dr. Morriston earned his PhD in philosophy from Northwestern University in 1972 and was a professor of philosophy at University of Colorado, Boulder from 1972-2014 when he retired as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy. Prof Morriston specialized in philosophy of religion. In the interview we discuss a variety of topics including a supposed tension that exists between a belief in what is often assumed to be the great value of free will on the one hand and the belief in God’s essential goodness on the other. We also discuss the moral argument - at least the form advocated by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig. We want to again thank Professor Morriston for the fantastic discussion.

 

May 22, 201748:34
RA008: Evan Fales on the Problem of Evil
Apr 30, 201747:24
RA007: Irreducibly Normative Truths?
Apr 17, 201701:14:36
RA006: Josh Parikh on Resistant Non-Belief
Apr 05, 201752:38
RA005: Debate: Schieber and Arndt on God and Suffering
Mar 21, 201701:03:44
RA004: Debate: Schieber and Giunta on Divine Hiddenness
Feb 25, 201701:03:13
RA003: Debate: God and Finite Creatures
Feb 11, 201730:08
RA002: Article: The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism
Feb 02, 201727:59
RA001: Born Again Atheology
Jan 30, 201712:29