Philosophy Problem Of Evil Questions Long
The evidential argument from the existence of non-believers is a philosophical argument that seeks to challenge the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God by pointing to the existence of non-believers or individuals who do not believe in God. This argument is often used as a response to the problem of evil, which questions how the existence of evil and suffering can be reconciled with the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God.
The argument can be summarized as follows:
1. If an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God exists, then every rational person would believe in God.
2. There are rational individuals who do not believe in God (non-believers).
3. Therefore, an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God does not exist.
The argument is based on the assumption that if God exists, then belief in God would be universal or at least widespread among rational individuals. This assumption is grounded in the idea that an all-powerful and all-knowing God would have the ability to provide sufficient evidence or reasons for belief in God, and an all-good God would desire all rational individuals to believe in God.
The existence of non-believers is seen as evidence against the existence of such a God. If there are rational individuals who do not believe in God, it suggests that either God does not exist or that God has not provided sufficient evidence or reasons for belief. This raises questions about the nature of God's existence, the accessibility of evidence for belief, and the role of human rationality in the process of belief formation.
Critics of the evidential argument from the existence of non-believers often raise several objections. One objection is that belief in God is not solely determined by rationality, but also influenced by personal experiences, emotions, cultural factors, and individual choices. Therefore, the argument's assumption that every rational person would believe in God may not be accurate.
Another objection is that the argument assumes that God's existence is dependent on the belief of rational individuals. However, proponents of the argument may counter that if God desires a personal relationship with humans, it would be reasonable to expect that God would provide sufficient evidence or reasons for belief.
In conclusion, the evidential argument from the existence of non-believers challenges the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God by pointing to the existence of rational individuals who do not believe in God. It raises questions about the nature of God's existence, the accessibility of evidence for belief, and the role of human rationality in belief formation. However, the argument is not without its objections and criticisms, which highlight the complexities and limitations of addressing the problem of evil and the existence of God.