Antony

?
  • Created by: Jess0699
  • Created on: 23-12-16 02:20
View mindmap
  • 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.'
    • "...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.
    • The tale is based on John Wisdom's 'Parable of the Gardener'.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Philosophy resources:

See all Philosophy resources »See all Falsification Principle resources »