Abstract
We characterise theism and naturalism, and provide an account of the method that we use to provide a comparative assessment of them. In particular, we discuss theoretical virtues — simplicity, goodness of fit, explanatory breadth and predictive fruitfulness — and their role in the assessment of the comparative virtues of theories; and we also consider the role that the theoretical virtues might play in an argument for the conclusion that one theory dominates another on the available evidence. We conclude with a brief account of the properties of successful arguments.
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References and further reading
On the characterisation of theism: Graham Oppy (2009) ‘Gods’ Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion 2, 231–50.
For contrast: Jordan Howard Sobel (2004) Logic and Theism Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press; Richard Swinburne (1979) The Existence of God Oxford: Clarendon.
On method and theoretical virtue: Daniel Nolan (1997) ‘Quantitative Parsimony’ British Journal for Philosophy of Science 48, 483, 329–43.
For a contrasting view: Scott Shalkowski (1997) ‘Theoretical Virtues and Theological Construction’ International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 41, 71–89.
On theory of argumentation: Graham Oppy (2011) ‘Über die Aussichten erfolgreicher Beweise für Theismus oder Atheismus’ (‘Prospects for Successful Proofs of Theism or Atheism’) in Joachim Bromand und Guido Kreis (eds) Gottesbeweise von Anselm bis Gödel (Arguments for the Existence of God from Anselm to Gödel) Berlin: Suhrkamp Verlag.
For a contrasting view: Stephen Davis (1997) God, Reason and Theistic Proofs Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
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© 2013 Graham Oppy
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Oppy, G. (2013). Preliminary Matters. In: The Best Argument against God. Palgrave Pivot, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137354143_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137354143_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-46988-8
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