Philosophy Existence Of God Questions Long
The argument from desire is a philosophical argument that seeks to establish the existence of God based on the human experience of desire. It suggests that our innate desires and longings for certain things in life, such as love, meaning, and ultimate fulfillment, point towards the existence of a transcendent being or a higher power.
The argument from desire can be traced back to the works of various philosophers and theologians, but it was notably developed by C.S. Lewis in his book "Mere Christianity." According to Lewis, our desires can be categorized into two types: natural desires and unnatural desires.
Natural desires are those that are common to all human beings, such as the desire for food, water, and companionship. These desires can be satisfied within the natural world, as they have corresponding objects that fulfill them. For example, hunger can be satisfied by eating, and thirst can be quenched by drinking.
On the other hand, unnatural desires are those that cannot be fully satisfied within the natural world. These desires go beyond our physical needs and point towards something beyond the material realm. Examples of unnatural desires include the longing for eternal life, the search for ultimate meaning and purpose, and the yearning for perfect love and justice.
Lewis argues that the existence of these unnatural desires suggests that there must be something beyond the natural world that can fulfill them. He posits that if there is a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, then it is reasonable to believe that there exists something outside of this world that can fulfill that desire. This something, according to Lewis, is what we commonly refer to as God.
The argument from desire plays a significant role in arguments for the existence of God because it appeals to our subjective experiences and emotions. It recognizes that human beings are not merely rational creatures but also beings driven by desires and longings. By acknowledging the existence of these desires, the argument from desire provides a bridge between the subjective and the objective, the personal and the universal.
Furthermore, the argument from desire complements other arguments for the existence of God. For instance, it can be seen as a supplement to the cosmological argument, which posits that the existence of the universe requires a necessary cause or explanation. The argument from desire adds another layer to this by suggesting that the existence of our innate desires also requires an ultimate explanation, which can be found in God.
Critics of the argument from desire often argue that desires are subjective and can be explained by naturalistic means, such as evolutionary psychology. They contend that our desires are simply products of our biological and cultural conditioning, and therefore, they do not necessarily point towards the existence of God.
However, proponents of the argument counter that while desires may have naturalistic explanations, the fact that they cannot be fully satisfied within the natural world still raises questions about their ultimate source and fulfillment. They argue that the argument from desire is not intended to provide conclusive proof of God's existence but rather to offer a plausible explanation for the human experience of longing and desire.
In conclusion, the argument from desire suggests that our innate desires and longings for things beyond the natural world point towards the existence of God. It recognizes that there are certain desires within us that cannot be fully satisfied within the confines of the material realm. While the argument may not provide definitive proof, it offers a compelling explanation for the human experience of desire and its role in arguments for the existence of God.