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Alvin Plantinga's Epistemology

9 Followers

Some things can be known without relying on evidence from other things we know. Those are the properly basic beliefs (PBBs). All evidence has to come from somewhere, and PBBs are where it comes from. Not just any belief can be a PBB. It has to be one we can know in some way other than through evidence from other things we know. And — surprise! — Alvin Plantinga thinks belief in G-d can be a PBB. But how do we know which things can be in the category of PBBs? Plantinga borrows from Roderick Chisholm‘s advice for figuring out something like this: First, make a nice list of beliefs we know fit into a particular category of beliefs; next, carefully look at the beliefs in that list to figure out a criterion for beliefs in that category; finally, use that criterion to see whatever other beliefs might fit into that category. Plantinga gets his list of PPBs from common-sense beliefs, drawing from Thomas Reid. Then there’s some inductive logic to get to the criterion. (Hint: It involves properly functioning faculties!) And then there’s an explanation of why Plantinga thinks Christian belief meets that criterion. It took Plantinga more than three decades and well over a thousand pages to do all this. But he eventually did it, and it’s some pretty awesome philosophy.

ModernPapist

4 Followers

I create videos on Catholicism. The topics include: historical events and people, prayers, scientific understanding and theological talks with my pastor. Occasionally, current events pop up, especially if it deals with the crises in the Church. My background is that of a scientist and will be relating my expertise as a statistician to church topics like miracles and philosophical understandings. I first started as a way to help my children understand some parts of the faith. With my pastor, it then expanded to help those in our parish. Now, I am helping anyone willing to listen. I stick to orthodoxy and in the event I slip, am open to charitable correction.