Antony
- Created by: Jess0699
- Created on: 23-12-16 02:20
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- Antony Flew
- English philosopher
- 20th century
- Flew developed the philosophies of Popper.
- Argues that when we say something is the case, we are also denying the opposite (e.g. badgers are not black and white).
- For example: Badgers are black and white
- When you assert something, you are also indirectly asserting that there are facts/evidence that may count against your assertion.
- Therefore, there has to be some empirical evidence that would count against your claim
- I.e. 'I have seen a badger that is only black.'
- Therefore, there has to be some empirical evidence that would count against your claim
- "...if there is nothing which a putative assertion denies then there is nothing which asserts it either.'
- A statement must be willing to acknowledge evidence against its truth in order for it to be verifiable and meaningful.
- Flew applied the Falsification Principle to religious language
- Concluded that religious statements are nothing short of nonsensical utterances.
- They cannot be falsified; there is no empirical evidence to count against them.
- Religious believers do not allow for the falsification of their belief.
- For example: they are reduced to saying that 'God's love is incomprehensible' when they cannot explain suffering.
- 'Death of a thousand qualifications'.
- No matter what disaster strikes, a believer will continue to argue for the existence of God.
- Even if their claims are 'watered down' in the process.
- No matter what disaster strikes, a believer will continue to argue for the existence of God.
- Concluded that religious statements are nothing short of nonsensical utterances.
- The tale is based on John Wisdom's 'Parable of the Gardener'.
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