Objection · Case 09 · Atheism

Adding up weak arguments does not make a strong one. Zero plus zero is still zero, so a pile of failed proofs proves nothing.

One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.

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Response

That would hold if each argument had zero force, but that is the thing in dispute. If each raises the probability even a little, they combine, the way several independent clues raise the probability of a verdict. The atheist has to show each argument has no force at all, not merely that none is decisive alone. Swinburne makes this precise with probability. The reply zero plus zero assumes the conclusion.

About this exhibit

This objection is to How cumulative cases work elsewhere.

Cumulative reasoning is standard in science, history, and law. No single fingerprint or witness proves a case, but many independent pieces pointing the same direction do. The arguments for theism…

Under Claim 09: The case for God is best made as a cumulative one, where several independent lines of evidence each raise the probability and together point the same way.