语言学与哲学（美国麻省理工） (2).pdf

: Problems of Philosophy
Prof. Sally Haslanger
September 12, 2001
The Problem of Evil
Last time we considered the ontological argument for the existence of God. If the argument is cogent, then we have reason
to be rational theists, ., to maintain that there are justifying reasons for belief in God's existence. Today we're going to
consider an argument for atheism which purports to show that theism is incoherent, ., that theism entails a contradiction.
If the argument works, then the only option available to the theist would be irrational theism: belief in God's existence in
spite of justifying reasons supporting atheism.
I. Contradictions
Not having a good argument in support of something you believe is fortable, but we live with this condition all the
time. Sometimes our beliefs are a matter of wishful thinking; when there is pelling evidence one way or the other,
we just make the best guess we can. What is more difficult to live with is having a convincing argument against your
belief, for mits you to a contradiction.
What is a contradiction and why is it more problematic than just believing without conclusive evidence? A set of beliefs is
contradictory if and only if it is not possible for all of them to be true together, that is, if at least one of them must be false.
Consider a simple example:
a) All birds can fly.
b) Pengui