Arguments for the Existence of God

This volume examines classical and contemporary arguments for God's existence, offering both philosophical analysis and critical assessment of their strengths and limitations. Hick structures his investigation around major theistic proofs while situating them within broader epistemological questions about religious knowledge and rational belief.

The work begins by addressing fundamental methodological issues concerning the nature of religious language and the criteria for evaluating theistic arguments. Hick distinguishes between arguments that claim demonstrative certainty and those offering probable inference, arguing that the latter approach better reflects the actual epistemic situation of religious belief. He examines the ontological argument through both Anselmean and modern formulations, analyzing why this a priori proof continues to generate philosophical interest despite persistent critiques. His treatment emphasizes the argument's unique attempt to derive existence from the concept of God itself.

Turning to a posteriori arguments, Hick provides detailed analysis of cosmological reasoning, including both traditional formulations from Aquinas and contemporary versions like the kalam argument. He explores how these arguments move from observations about contingency, causation, or temporal finitude to posit a necessary being. The teleological argument receives extensive treatment, with Hick examining both classical design arguments and their transformation in response to evolutionary theory. He considers how modern formulations appeal to cosmic fine-tuning and anthropic principles.

The monograph engages significantly with moral arguments, analyzing how thinkers from Kant onwards have connected ethical experience with theistic belief. Hick examines whether objective moral values require a divine foundation and how moral arguments differ from theoretical proofs in their appeal to practical reason. Throughout, he addresses standard objections raised by critics like Hume and Russell while also considering neo-Thomist and analytic responses.

Hick's distinctive contribution lies in his balanced assessment that acknowledges both the logical limitations of theistic proofs and their cumulative significance for religious belief. He argues that while no single argument provides conclusive demonstration, taken together they may render theism a rational option. The work concludes by examining how these arguments function within actual religious life, distinguishing between their role in philosophical theology and their significance for lived faith. This analysis proves particularly valuable for understanding why theistic arguments persist in philosophical discourse despite centuries of critique.