Hume’s objection to Clarke’s Cosmological Argument is that the Principle of Sufficient Reason would not be violated if only dependent beings existed. Explain Clarke’s argument, explain this criticism, and argue that this criticism succeeds despite Rowe’s attempt to undermine it.
Hume’s objection to Clarke’s Cosmological Argument is that the Principle of Sufficient Reason would not be violated if only dependent beings existed. Explain Clarke’s argument, explain this criticism, and argue that this criticism succeeds despite Rowe’s attempt to undermine it.. Introduction to Philosophical Issues
Possible Paper Topics
Rough Draft Due: Tuesday 08/20
Final Version Due: Tuesday 09/03
1. Hume’s objection to Clarke’s Cosmological Argument is that the Principle of Sufficient Reason would not be violated if only dependent beings existed. Explain Clarke’s argument, explain this criticism, and argue that this criticism succeeds despite Rowe’s attempt to undermine it.
2. One reply to Mackie’s version of the problem of evil is as follows: good cannot exist without evil, so the world must have evil in it if God wants to create a world with good in it. Mackie argues that this reply fails because good can exist without evil. Defend this reply to the problem of evil against Mackie.
3. One reply to Mackie’s version of the problem of evil is as follows: freedom is a very good thing, God gave humans freedom, and evil exists as the inevitable result of human free choices. Mackie argues that this reply fails because God could have created a world in which everyone always freely chooses to do the right thing. Defend this reply to the problem of evil against Mackie.
4. James offers a basic criticism of Clifford’s view that “it is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.” Explain Clifford’s view, explain James’s criticism, and defend Clifford’s view against that criticism.
