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"There Is A God" by Antony Flew
Tweet Topic Started: Jun 24 2008, 02:09 PM (64 Views)
thePhilosopher Jun 24 2008, 02:09 PM Post #1
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I'm currently reading a book that was written by (possibly) the most influential atheist of the 20th century, Antony Flew. I remember as an undergraduate, I was shocked to hear how someone who I considered this era's Bertrand Russell (only more philosophically sound and less stylistically interesting) decided that, after all, there is a "God." I'm not entirely finished with it, but it is certainly a very good read for anyone interested in the debate between theism and atheism from someone who was at the center of the debate for so long. It is clearly written and accessible to anyone who has taken a philosophy class or two in college, or has an interest in the subject matter.

It seems like the three main factors that influenced Flew into making this move so late in his career are all based on the nature of the universe. Laws of nature, the complexity of life, how animate came from inanimate, all cast doubt on Flew's earlier paradigm. He insists that he only understands God through "natural theology," that is, he doesn't believe in any of the major monotheistic religions. It seems to me that he doesn't shy away from the comparisons to Aristotle's "theology" (if it can be called that), in that God isn't so much personal, but primarily takes the role deists often cast for God.

Flew has taken a lot of heat from the "free thinking" atheist community, but it shows a lot of intellectual courage and honesty to follow "wherever the question will lead," as Socrates would say. Interesting read from a living legend of philosophy.
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brumdog44 Jun 25 2008, 07:25 AM Post #2
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I believe he was 81 when he made this declaration.

When my Grandpa was 81, he told us that he went on a Bigfoot hunting expedition with FDR and Nixon.

Not sayin', just sayin'. :P
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thePhilosopher Jun 25 2008, 10:18 AM Post #3
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So we should expect the same from Richard Dawkins when he hits the retirement home? B)

Maybe there is something to be said for the "end of life" or "deathbed" conversion of atheists, that perhaps the thought of mortality is just too great even for the most rational of types. But Flew doesn't buy into the monotheistic religions, and I'm not sure how "out there" the deistic belief system is to most rational people. I think it is quite reasonable to come to the conclusion that something more is at work in reality besides dumb luck and chance due to the complexity and regularity we experience.
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brumdog44 Jun 28 2008, 02:39 PM Post #4
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Hey, Cher has won both an Oscar and a Grammy. Nothing besides dumb luck could explain that.

....of course the theistic would simply point out that the only possibility of someone with that little talent winning both awards would be a contract with the devil.
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