The Problem of God in David Hume

David Hume is a key critic of attempts to provide rational arguments for traditional Christian theism in Western philosophy. He examines objections to the cosmological, design, and miracle arguments, as well as his version of the argument from evil. He is seen as having an anti-Christian agenda, influenced by Thomas Hobbes' religious criticisms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 62 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

David Hume (1711-1776) stands as a prominent skeptic of efforts to present rational justifications for traditional Christian theism within Western philosophy. In this Element, the authors delve into Hume's primary critiques of the cosmological argument, the design argument, and the argument from miracles, alongside exploring the central responses to these objections. Additionally, the authors examine Hume's groundbreaking formulation of the argument from evil, aimed at demonstrating the lack of coherent meaning in traditional Christian theism. By drawing upon recent advancements in Hume scholarship, which suggest that Hume's ultimate philosophical objective was to advance an anti-Christian agenda, an attempt is made to contextualize Hume's writings on God and religion within an evolving narrative that is profoundly influenced by the trenchant religious criticisms of Hume's foremost philosophical predecessor, Thomas Hobbes.

The cosmological argument, traditionally presented by philosophers such as St. Anselm and Aquinas, posits that the existence of the universe is a necessary consequence of the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent God. Hume challenges this argument by questioning the reliability of our senses and the validity of inductive reasoning. He argues that the apparent order and beauty of the universe may be the result of natural processes rather than the deliberate design of a divine creator.

The design argument, based on the perceived complexity and fine-tuning of the natural world, suggests that the universe must have been created by an intelligent designer. Hume again challenges this argument by pointing out the abundance of natural phenomena that are not the result of intelligent design, such as the existence of random mutations and natural disasters. He also argues that the complexity of the natural world can be explained by natural processes rather than the intervention of a divine designer.

The argument from miracles, which relies on the belief in the occurrence of supernatural events that defy the laws of nature, is also criticized by Hume. He argues that the historical record does not support the existence of miracles and that the claims made about them are often based on unreliable eyewitness accounts or hearsay. He further suggests that the belief in miracles is a result of human superstition and cultural conditioning rather than evidence of divine intervention.

In response to these objections, Hume offers several counterarguments. He argues that the reliability of our senses is not absolute and that we can be deceived by our own biases and perceptions. He also points out that the existence of natural processes does not necessarily imply that they are the result of divine intervention. Additionally, Hume argues that the complexity of the natural world can be explained by natural selection and evolution rather than the deliberate design of a divine creator.

Hume's argument from evil, which challenges the existence of a good and omnipotent God in the face of the existence of evil and suffering in the world, is another significant contribution to his philosophical thought. He argues that the existence of evil is a logical consequence of the existence of a God who is both good and omnipotent. He suggests that if God is both good and omnipotent, then he would be able to prevent evil from occurring, but the fact that evil exists suggests that either God is not good or not omnipotent.

Despite Hume's criticisms, his writings on God and religion have had a profound impact on Western philosophy. His skepticism about the rationality of religious belief and his argument from evil have challenged traditional religious assumptions and sparked debates about the nature of God and the existence of evil. Hume's writings have also influenced the development of secularism and atheism in Western society.

In conclusion, David Hume's critiques of traditional Christian theism, particularly his objections to the cosmological argument, the design argument, and the argument from miracles, have had a significant impact on Western philosophy. His skepticism about the reliability of our senses and the validity of inductive reasoning has challenged the traditional justifications for religious belief. His argument from evil has challenged the idea of a good and omnipotent God in the face of the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Despite Hume's criticisms, his writings on God and religion have had a profound impact on Western philosophy and continue to be debated and discussed by scholars today.

ISBN-13: 9781009270267