Philosophical Theories that Support Gods Presence - Research Paper Example

of the of the of the God Exists Introduction God exists. This research work claims that God exists. The supporting arguments of the thesis are; true believers experience the grace of God, faith hastens the process of realizing God, and God’s existence is independent. Most Americans believe in God. The idea of God has been philosophical. This work discusses some philosophical theories that support God’s presence. Thereafter, the arguments against God have been refuted and finally conclusions have been made. Human existence tends to be founded upon a number of basic ideas. Perhaps the most important of these relates to the concept of God. It would be no exaggeration to contend that human thought has been seized with the idea of God, from times immemorial (Safa and Ahmadi D1). Substantiations relating to the existence of God constitute some of the enduring features of philosophical discussion. Some of the classifications of the corroboration of God’s existence are those that are conceptual or dependent upon aspects of the created order (Cumming 3). Arguments for the Existence of God True believers enjoy the Grace It is a mystery, as regards the manner in which supernatural faith interacts with human beings. The highest knowledge relating to God that can be derived solely from philosophical considerations has been defined as the preambles of faith or the praeambula fidei. The few individuals who experience the act of belief, do not find these preambles of faith to be exceedingly enigmatic. These fortunate individuals have testified that the true believer enjoys the grace, which can be termed the intelligence provided by faith (Grzesik 258). Faith is the Accelerator in Seeking God It is indeed faith that induces one to seek God and thereby admit one’s shortcomings. As a consequence, individuals are enabled to comprehend that help from the Lord is essential to avail of the benefits provided by Him and to transform the intellect to understand the higher truths. This entire process of transcendence is critically dependent upon faith (Grzesik 259). Arguments that support or oppose the existence of God can be classified as deductive or inductive. Ostensibly, the existence of God tends to be difficult to establish, despite several of the atheists being rational human beings. This state of affairs has been attributed to certain ontological assumptions regarding the nature of the world and the nature of God (Crutcher 430). Presumptions regarding the existence or non – existence of God, tend to possess a circular nature. This is due to the fact that such arguments attempt to establish their hypothesis by making an assumption regarding the non – existence or reality of God. Such reasoning has little if any influence upon the opposing or neutral views (Crutcher 431). Divine Existence is Independent René Descartes, the redoubtable French mathematician and philosopher propounded the view that divine existence is independent existence. In this context, independent existence denotes an existence that is independent of any other entity. As a consequence, the existence of God constitutes the ultimate form of perfection, to the extent that it is independent existence (Wee 34). In the later portion of the Third Meditation, the meditator establishes that with the exception of God, no other entity possesses an independent existence. Previously the meditator had acknowledged that as an imperfect being, she could not be regarded as the cause of her idea regarding God (Wee 34). Thereafter, the meditator examines whether she could be her own cause. After considerable analysis, she realizes that she does not possess any power that would enable her to remain in existence. Therefore, she is compelled to concede that her continuing existence has to be attributed to some external cause (Wee 34). Notion of God Philosophical Ion Petrovici, the Romanian thinker, had declared that the notion of God was philosophical. It was, according to him, simultaneously alive and obsolete, despite being contemplated upon and unravelled by several notable thinkers. It was Petrovici’s endeavor to engage in something more than a mundane historical exposition (David 35). His objective was to scrutinize the notion that God’s existence could be established by reason. This had been the crux of Descartes’ argument. The latter was comprised of the assumption that the nature of the infinite God cannot be contemplated upon by the limited human mind (David 35). Frank Newport had queried as to whether people believed in God; whether they did not believe in God; whether people who did not believe in God, believed in the existence of a superior power or universal spirit; or whether they did not believe in a higher power or God. His contention was that 90% of the Americans believed in the existence of God (Newport). Plato and the other religious philosophers have contended that it is conceivable to gain direct knowledge of the divine reality. A few of the Christian thinkers believe that such knowledge can be realized by all. However, there are other thinkers among the Christians who contend that such knowledge has been limited to the recipients of biblical revelation (Owen). This knowledge has been considered as the highest activity of the ordinary mental powers, whilst others regard it as pertaining to a special faculty of the soul. A few of the thinkers had defined it from the intellectual perspective as intuition or an insight. However, other thinkers had emphasized its volitionary quality, by terming it an encounter or confrontation (Owen). In addition to these differences, it becomes indispensable to differentiate betwixt the immediate and the mediated experiences. Temple, Oman and Lewis are some of the important contemporary writers who have stressed that religious experience is, in general, mediated via secular experiences. This includes religious experiences that have been articulated upon the basis of empirical evidence (Owen). In this manner, individuals become cognizant of God as an eternal entity, by means of the contingency of the finite. Moreover, people become aware of God as a holy being, due to the requirements of the moral law. In fact, the divinity of Christ has been experienced through introspection upon his human life and it influence upon his disciples (Owen). All the same, there is a purely spiritual experience that is immediate. This is termed the mystical experience. The Christian mystics affirm that God is immanent and transcendent. Moreover, they claim that this character of God causes them to enter a union of love and will with God. According to them, there is no absorption into the Godhead and the distinction between them and God persists forever. This is a major difference between what the Christian and non – Christian mystics claim (Owen). Evidence for the existence of God is principally based upon the following theories. Ontological Theory Saint Anselm of Canterbury lived between the years 1033 and 1109. He conjectured that God could be described as an entity that surpassed every other thing in grandeur. Consequently, God existed in the mind. As it was impossible to comprehend of any being that was superior to God, the latter had perforce to exist in reality (BBC). Cosmological Theory Saint Thomas Aquinas came forth with the cosmological theory. In accordance with this theory, an entity cannot be derived from nothing. As a consequence, it becomes necessary for a First Cause to have been in existence. Aquinas declared that this First Cause had created all the other things or the universe. He stated that this First Cause was God (BBC). Teleological or Design Theory William Paley, who lived between 1734 and 1805, has been credited with the teleological or design theory. This theory states that upon espying a watch on the ground, whilst sojourning upon the heath, one would be likely to presume that this watch has not assembled itself. In other words, it would not be assumed that its various components have come together by mere chance (BBC). This conclusion would be arrived at after considering the orderliness and intricacy of its function and mechanism. As a result, it would become evident that the watch has been designed by some entity. Similarly, the universe depicts complexity and harmony; therefore, it should necessarily have been designed by some being. That being has been designated as God (BBC). Religious Experience Theory There are some people who claim to have undergone religious experiences. These include, miracles or an unexpected occurrence, whose cause can be attributed to divine intervention; a vision; or a specific prayer to God that has received a favorable response. These happenings lead to the conclusion that God exists, and this constitutes the theory of religious experience (BBC). Morality Theory There are quite a few people who insist that every individual is cognizant of the dissimilarity between what is right and what is wrong. These individuals denote this capacity to distinguish between right and wrong, as the possession of the sense of morality. Since, such a sense of morality has to emanate from some source, and as the sole source for such a sense of morality is God, the existence of God is established. This is the gist of the morality theory (BBC). Argument against the Existence of God From the perspective of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the principal philosophical criticisms levelled against God are as follows. Presence of Evil The very fact that evil is present in the world, indicates that God cannot be omnipotent, omniscient, loving and good, at the same time (Harrison). This is incorrect, because God has bestowed free will upon mankind, which enables the latter to perform good or evil deeds. Consequently, the presence of evil is due to the incorrect choices made by some of the people. Presence of Pain The existence of man is accompanied by disease and pain, and natural disasters continue to take place. Under these circumstances, it can be contended that if God were to be omnipotent, loving and good, in the human sense of the word, he would not allow these misfortunes to befall mankind (Harrison). This is refuted by realizing that God is compelled to punish men for their misdeeds. The Holy Bible is replete with instances, wherein all manner of pestilences were visited upon the recalcitrant and obdurate masses. Presence of Injustice Apparently, there is a considerable amount of injustice in the world. Moreover, it seems that destinies are not allocated in a manner that has little if any bearing upon equality or merit. Ostensibly, the allocation of merit or equality is arbitrary. This could lead to the assumption that God is not omnipotent and omniscient. Furthermore, it can be argued that God tends to be unjust from the human perspective (Harrison). Presence of Multiplicity The notions regarding God differ significantly from religion to religion. This could result in the conjecture that either one or none of these religions could be correct, regarding God. Hence, the very existence of God cannot be accepted (Harrison). This is patently, incorrect. The different religions have different descriptions of God, due to local traditions and beliefs. However, there are several commonalities among the various religions; such as the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God. In addition, God is regarded as light or alluded to indirectly as light, in all the religions. This goes to show that the apparent presence of multiplicity does not refute the existence of God. Conclusion It can be contended that God is invisible, and that the universe would be unaffected by God’s presence or absence. Consequently, it can be held that God does not exist. This is obviously incorrect and naïve. The mere fact that an object is not capable of being detected by the human senses does not establish its non – existence. For instance, man cannot see beyond the visible range of light or hear sound that are beyond the audible range. All the same, no sane person would doubt the existence of ultra violet or infrared light, or ultrasonic sounds. In a similar manner, the fact that God cannot be perceived by the senses cannot be construed to indicate that God does not exist. The above discussion proves that Gods existence is undeniable. Works Cited BBC. Religious Studies. 2014. Web. 23 January 2014. . Crutcher, Timothy J. "Proving God: The Question of Transcendence and the Limits of Rationality." Heythrop Journal 51.3 (2010): 430 – 441. Print. Cumming, Richard Paul. "Transcendental Epistemology and Proofs of the Existence of God in Seventeenth-century Rationalist Philosophy: The Proof from the Existence of Mental Substance in Nicolas Malebranches Search after Truth." Cithara 53.1 (2013): 3 – 29. Print. David, Claudia Renata . "The Idea of God According to Ion Petrovici." Scientific Journal of Humanistic Studies 5.8 (2013): 35 – 40. Print. Grzesik, Tadeusz. "Faith and Conscience--The Surest of Arguments for the Existence of God." Forum Philosophicum: International Journal for Philosophy 17.2 (2012): 245 – 268. Print. Harrison, Paul. "Arguments for and against the Existence of God." 3 April 1997. Principia Cybernetica Web. Web. 23 January 2014. . Newport, Frank. "Americans More Likely to Believe in God Than the Devil, Heaven More Than Hell." 13 June 2007. Gallup. Web. 23 January 2014. . Owen, H P. God, Concepts of. 2006. Web. 23 January 2014. . Safa, Mina and Habib Ahmadi. "A sociological approach to the concept of God amongst Iranian youth." Hervormde Teologiese Studies 67.3 (2011): D1 – D12. Print. Wee, Cecilia. "Descartess Ontological Proof of Gods Existence." British Journal for the History of Philosophy 20.1 (2012): 23 – 40. Print. Read More