The Big Problem with Religious Arguments

Debates about God are almost always pitched as between atheists and theists. But we do not give very much thought to the middle position. What about the skeptic's position on the issue? What are the strong arguments in favour of agnosticism?

00:00 Agnosticism and Scepticism
02:02 The Limits of Analogy
07:32 The Problem of Understanding God
14:12 Possibilities, Plausibility, and You
20:05 Knowledge, Belief, and Doubt

[idan]

"imagine that you were not you but instead a beetle" probably didnt think we would notice you are trying to pull a kafka on us

[borat]

Just wanted to say, I want to one day learn to make arguments and speak as eloquently as you do. I love your videos and every single one has been informative and explained things in a way I could intuitively understand. Be proud of these videos!

[Nighthawkinlight]

The way I figure it, if there exists a God powerful enough to create the universe while existing outside of that creation, we have literally 0 chance of discovering anything about that God unless he wants to be known. An atheistic universe and a universe created by a disinterested God are equivalent in every way that could matter to us. Hume's arguments stand in the case of a disinterested God. The only universe in which the existence of a God matters is one where God wants to be known, and only in that latter case is there a possibility to learn anything about him. If we're not in such a universe every question is pointless. If we are in such a universe, maybe we can learn something of God but only by whatever means God decides to provide. Maybe that could be the natural sciences, maybe that could be direct revelation, introspection, or some combination thereof. Maybe God could come down as one of us.

[Johnny_Isometric]

“But anyway, back to God” may be my new favorite segue.

[nur-xoyv]

Honestly, I’m non- English speaker, and many words are not familiar, but i m also interested in philosophy. And your voice and pronunciation are just amazing. Don't break away

[cosmic-ocean]

Thanks brother for making these kinda video

I m watching this during my breaks .
I really enjoyed it .

[alchemicalalek]

I watch this as a Christian and I am very intrigued! Your essays are very well put together and inspiring, and I like how you approach Medieval Scholasticism and Natural Theology!

Very few agnostics or skeptics will go to these people directly, so it is refreshing to see!

[theCombatbadger]

I would like to say thank you, thank you for getting me into philosophy and classic literature. Love your vids. Please don't stop creating 😊

[Philusteen]

On my second listen-thru. Thanks, brother - this is an excellent flyover of many of the things I've been dancing with for a kong time. ☕🖖

[LeanFuture]

That’s something that’s driven me insane since I was a little kid. How can people be sure of something they have no way of knowing? I never could understand.

[anastasiaconstantine]

new video just when i was rewatching the old ones!!! let's

[archieese]

As an undercover ex Muslim atheist lol, i really enjoy your videos. These are not only informative, they activate my brain to 'think'. Thanks!

[blossom]

I can get on with the standard apologetic of "God is beyond human understanding" if it were to apply to EVERYONE. But, unless I'm misunderstanding, this is only ever used against nonbelievers. Otherwise, there's this implied notion that "I, the Christian, do understand this entity that is beyond human comprehension." Bullshit. Be consistent.

[Prosperroify]

Wow. I can't believe the level of meaningful education I can derive from just watching a short video these days. The question of knowledge is so needed in a lingering age where objective certainty and absolute knowledge are commonly, philosophically valued.
Ty so much.

[carloblues]

Thank you for all the videos you are putting out. I find them helpful and well presented.

[AllanHinde-mbpr]

I’m sceptical about everything it saves so much time

[milenaB]

Thanks to your videos i rediscovered my passion for philosophy. Keep with the good work!

[ALavin-enkr]

The problem of evil is often brought up as an argument against God —- how could a just and benign God create a world in which there is evil. If there is unity there is no opposition; no good or bad forces clashing with each other. But if there is unity there is just one and there is no universe; no world; no creation. In creation to have anything manifest and in opposition is necessary to have non-unity or more than one.  

The idea of two goods is unity not duality. To have creation is to have a drama we need a hero and a villain. Try doing a drama with two heros it is not too much of a drama. Although what we experience is real to us it is just a projection, a show for our benefit so we can evolve and transcend it one day. Meanwhile we are assured that our souls, our spark of light, is beyond the drama and not affected by it and will always exist. So that is heartening.

If Satan had not rebelled there would be unity and maybe a level of semi-conscious acquiescence with the deity. It may be better if we know and are fully conscious and it is likely the Fall and our earthly journey or journeys (reincarnation) will bring us to full conscious awareness. After all Christ said: Ye are gods. And maybe we are.

[Veryseriousedits]

I don't normally write anything in the comments on anyone's channel since I find it being a significant waste of time. However, I'd like to express how grateful I am to have stumbled upon your channel. Your videos challenge my own perception of reality and makes me genuinely question myself on a very deep level. I truly love philosophy, although it very often can drive me insane and I find myself being physically ill and falling into despair. In any case, I love your videos. Keep up the good work!

[graphixkillzzz]

when people ask me what i mean by "evidence, " i tell them "remove the preconceived idea you had before you looked at the evidence. now, without having that idea, arrive to that idea by only observing the evidence. if you can arrive to a concept through the evidence, then the evidence supports that's concept. now remove the concept of gods from your mind. what can we observe to arrive back to that concept? what can we observe that tells us the definition of a god, that gives us a reason to conceive of a god?"