Alvin Plantinga
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Alvin Plantinga is an American philosopher known for his work in philosophy of religion and epistemology. He is particularly recognized for his contributions to the problem of evil and his defense of theistic arguments.
Plantinga is associated with a modern formulation of the ontological argument, which attempts to prove God's existence from the very concept of God. He argued that a being with "necessary existence" must exist, as such a being cannot coherently be thought not to exist. This approach seeks to establish God's existence as an ultimate fact, independent of anything else. His work engages with complex philosophical debates about God's attributes, such as omnipotence and goodness, and the existence of evil in the world.123
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ChristianityThe ontological argumentAlvin Plantinga) asserted the validity of a second form of Anselm’s argument. This hinges upon “necessary existence,” a property with even higher value than “existence.” A being that necessarily exists cannot coherently be thought not to exist. And so God, as the unsurpassably perfect being,…
Read MoreAlvin Plantinga) asserted the validity of a second form of Anselm’s argument. This hinges upon “necessary existence,” a property with even higher value than “existence.” A being that necessarily exists cannot coherently be thought not to exist. And so God, as the unsurpassably perfect being,…
Read More- ChristianityEvidentialist approach
It was argued by Alvin Plantinga that the range of properly basic beliefs is wider than classic foundationalism recognized. It can include not only beliefs about the past and the existence of other persons but also belief in the reality of God. Such beliefs can be basic (i.e., not…
Read MoreIt was argued by Alvin Plantinga that the range of properly basic beliefs is wider than classic foundationalism recognized. It can include not only beliefs about the past and the existence of other persons but also belief in the reality of God. Such beliefs can be basic (i.e., not…
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