"One compelling reason not to believe the standard-issue God exists is the conspicuous fact that no one knows anything at all about it. That’s a tacit part of the definition of God – a supernatural being that no one knows anything about. The claims that are made about God bear no resemblance to genuine knowledge. This becomes immediately apparent if you try adding details to God’s CV: God is the eternal omnipotent benevolent omniscient creator of the universe, and has blue eyes. You see how it works. Eternal omnipotent benevolent omniscient are all simply ideal characteristics that a God ought to have; blue eyes, on the other hand, are particular, and if you say God has them it suddenly becomes obvious that no one knows that, and by implication that no one knows anything else either."
Read on.
About Me
- Russell Blackford
- Australian philosopher, literary critic, legal scholar, and professional writer. Based in Newcastle, NSW. My latest books are THE TYRANNY OF OPINION: CONFORMITY AND THE FUTURE OF LIBERALISM (2019); AT THE DAWN OF A GREAT TRANSITION: THE QUESTION OF RADICAL ENHANCEMENT (2021); and HOW WE BECAME POST-LIBERAL: THE RISE AND FALL OF TOLERATION (2024).
6 comments:
Thanks Russell!
So far 50% of the commenters at the Dawkins cite have decided to buy the book. Not bad! Even if it is two out of four...
Doesn't that sound venal. Well I'm pleased for you. For my part I'm pleased that people like it.
It's a wonderful article, Ophelia, and we must have been very smart cookies when we invited you to submit something. ;)
Lovely piece, Ophelia! I'm looking forward to getting the book.
uh oh. Brain freeze: "...at the Dawkins cite..."
Superb article! I was trying to resist the book (trying to keep my expenses to the minimum right now), but if that's an example, I guess I'll HAVE to buy it!
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