1.1 & 1.2 Theism vs Atheism

Answer 1

• this is the principle that in trying to understand something, getting unnecessary information out of the way is the fastest way to the truth/most effective explanation; Ockham: “What can be done with fewer assumptions is done in vain with more”, “Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily.”
• he used the principle to argue against attempts to justify the existence of God by reason alone, declaring that the matter of God’s existence could only ever be known by faith, not proof

Answer 2

he was known for his insistence on careful use of language as a tool for thinking & for using observation as a tool for testing reality

Answer 3

knowing theism is a system of belief which attempts to provide an explanation for certain phenomena in the world, such as:

• the existence something rather than nothing
• the nature of the world, its character & possible purpose
• the place & significance of human beings

-> Belief in God is not just that but is a significant part of it

Answer 4

• the universe is religiously ambiguous - & the existence of God is not overwhelmingly obvious & the universe itself is not self explanatory
• therefore, people hold different beliefs & explanations for the universe even though these can be contradictory

Answer 5

the human quest for explanation inevitably & rightly seeks for the ultimate explanation of everything observable - that object or objects on which everything else depends for its existence & properties… in the end, there will be some one object on whom all other objects depend; we will have to acknowledge that something is ultimate but the question is what that is

Answer 6

philosophers, such as Frederick Copleston maintained that a complete explanation of the universe may not always be practically necessary, but is theoretically possible & interesting; for him, it was reasonable to seek God as necessary explanation for things

Answer 7

the concept in that man needs to find explanations for things that puzzle him: it is not enough to say things “just are.”

Answer 8

• both believers & non-believers feel the need to explain these things especially the problem of evil & questions of existence & nature
• however, to say there is no explanation is neither intellectually or psychologically satisfactory

Answer 9

a theistic explanation of the universe makes 2 assumptions:
1. supernatural forces exist which are powerful enough to influence the lives of individuals & the destiny of the whole universe
2. human beings can communicate with these beings & enter into a relationship with them

; an atheistic explanation will seek to explain the same features but without supernatural inference & argues the theistic explanation is unnecessarily complicated

Answer 10

a theistic view necessitates belief in a supernatural omnipotent being & can lead to saving theism by adding hypothesis such as:
1. Angels & demons & life after death
2. Miracles, religious experiences & the mysterious nature of God

Answer 11

the complexity of theistic systems may be increased by looking at the functions which they themselves may serve & their consequences:
1. to control society & ensure