Proofs for the Existence of God: Arguments from Logic and Experience is a course offered by the Catholic Courses Institute that examines the philosophical and theological arguments for the existence of God. The course is taught by Dr. Matthew Levering, who is a well-respected Catholic theologian and professor of theology at Mundelein Seminary.
The course is comprised of 12 lectures, which are each roughly an hour in length. The lectures cover a range of topics, such as the nature of philosophical and theological argumentation, the different approaches to proving God's existence, and the strengths and weaknesses of the various arguments. The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the most compelling proofs for the existence of God.
Throughout the course, Dr. Levering draws upon a variety of sources, including the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and other prominent Catholic theologians and philosophers. He also references contemporary scholarship on the topic to provide a well-rounded picture of the arguments.
One of the key strengths of the course is its accessibility. Dr. Levering is an engaging and clear lecturer, who presents the material in a way that is easy to understand. He frequently uses real-world examples to illustrate the arguments and makes efforts to clarify difficult concepts. Additionally, since the course is available online, students can work through the material at their own pace and replay lectures as needed.
The first few lectures of the course provide an overview of the nature of philosophical and theological argumentation. Dr. Levering discusses the differences between deductive and inductive reasoning and outlines the criteria that must be met for an argument to be considered a good one. He also provides an introduction to the different approaches to proving God's existence, such as the cosmological argument, the ontological argument, and the argument from design.
The subsequent lectures delve deeper into each of these arguments, exploring their strengths and weaknesses in detail. For example, the cosmological argument is based on the idea that everything in the universe must have a cause, and that this cause must ultimately be God. Dr. Levering examines the logic behind this argument and considers the various objections that have been raised against it over the centuries.
Similarly, the ontological argument posits that God must necessarily exist because of his very nature. Dr. Levering examines this argument in light of the criticisms that have been levied against it, including the objection that it is based on a faulty understanding of the concept of existence.
The course also includes a lecture on the argument from religious experience. This argument is based on the idea that individuals have had experiences that point to the reality of God's existence, such as mystical experiences or moments of profound awe and wonder. Dr. Levering examines the logic behind this argument and considers the various objections that have been raised against it, such as the objection that religious experiences are subjective and cannot be used as evidence.
Overall, Proofs for the Existence of God: Arguments from Logic and Experience is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the philosophical and theological arguments for the existence of God. The course is well-structured, accessible, and engaging, and provides a comprehensive overview of the most compelling arguments for God's existence. Additionally, since the course is taught from a Catholic perspective, it will be of particular interest to Catholics or anyone interested in Catholic theology.
Proofs for the Existence of God: Arguments from Logic and Experience is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between August 1, 2019 and on Catholic Courses Institute
