Objection · Case 08 · Science
The argument proves too much. If unguided evolution undermines trust in reason, it undermines the theist’s reason too, since theistic evolutionists accept the same evolutionary history.
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
The argument targets naturalism plus evolution, not evolution alone, because a theist can hold that reliable minds were intended. The fair follow-up is that guided evolution is an unfalsifiable add-on, and that is partly right; but the argument is not offered as evidence for God. It is offered as a problem for one specific combination of views. A theist who accepts evolution has a reason to expect reliable cognition; a naturalist has to derive it from selection pressures alone, and that derivation is the step in dispute.
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…