Objection · Case 08 · Science

Step 3, that a reason to doubt reliability is a reason to doubt everything, is too strong. We can doubt our faculties in abstract metaphysics while trusting them in perception and survival-relevant reasoning, where selection pressure clearly applied.

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

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Response

This is one of the better responses in the literature. The reply is that the argument for naturalism itself is abstract metaphysics, so the domain restriction would undermine naturalism specifically while leaving everyday reasoning intact, which is close to the conclusion Plantinga wants. Whether faculties can be trusted domain by domain in this way is a fair question, and it is one you should weigh rather than take on trust from either side.

About this exhibit

This objection is to Plantinga’s argument, stated as a syllogism.

Let R stand for our thinking faculties are reliable, N for naturalism, and E for unguided evolution. Plantinga’s own form runs like this. One, the probability of R given N and E is low or…

Under Claim 11: If human reason is only the product of unguided evolution aimed at survival, then trusting it to find truth undercuts itself, which is a problem for naturalism.