Natural Theology, Evidence, and Epistemic Humility

European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 9 (2):19-42 (2017)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

One not infrequently hears rumors that the robust practice of natural theology reeks of epistemic pride. Paul Moser’s is a paradigm of such contempt. In this paper we defend the robust practice of natural theology from the charge of epistemic pride. In taking an essentially Thomistic approach, we argue that the evidence of natural theology should be understood as a species of God’s general self-revelation. Thus, an honest assessment of that evidence need not be prideful, but can be an act of epistemic humility, receiving what God has offered, answering God’s call. Lastly, we provide criticisms of Moser’s alternative approach, advancing a variety of philosophical and theological problems against his conception of personifying evidence.

Other Versions

No versions found

Similar books and articles

Access denied: a reply to Rickabaugh and McAllister.Christopher M. P. Tomaszewski & John W. Rosenbaum - 2018 - International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 83 (2):201-207.
The evidence for God: religious knowledge reexamined.Paul K. Moser - 2009 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
The Evidence for Paul Moser.Charles Taliaferro - 2012 - Philosophia Christi 14 (2):285-289.
The epistemic value of natural theology.Ataollah Hashemi - 2024 - Asian Journal of Philosophy 3 (2):1-19.
Does Epistemic Humility Threaten Religious Beliefs?Katherine Dormandy - 2018 - Journal of Psychology and Theology 46 (4):292– 304.
Religious Epistemology Personified.Paul Moser - 2012 - In J. B. Stump & Alan G. Padgett (eds.), The Blackwell Companion to Science and Christianity. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 151-161.
How Not to Attack Natural Theology.Tedla G. Woldeyohannes - 2015 - Philosophia Christi 17 (2):397-409.

Analytics

Added to PP
2017-06-19

Downloads
1,170 (#16,065)

6 months
153 (#28,213)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author Profiles

Trent Dougherty
University of Rochester (PhD)
Brandon Rickabaugh
Palm Beach Atlantic University

References found in this work

The Emergent Self.William Hasker - 1999 - London: Cornell University Press.
Why open-minded people should endorse dogmatism.Chris Tucker - 2010 - Philosophical Perspectives 24 (1):529-545.
Evidentialism: Essays in Epistemology.Earl Conee & Richard Feldman - 2006 - Philosophical Quarterly 56 (222):147-149.
The Problem of Evil.Peter van Inwagen - 2007 - Philosophical Quarterly 57 (229):696-698.

View all 16 references / Add more references