God and the external world

Smith, M. (2011) God and the external world. Ratio, 24(1), pp. 65-77. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9329.2010.00483.x)

Abstract

There are a number of apparent parallels between belief in God and belief in the existence of an external world beyond our experiences. Both beliefs would seem to condition one’s overall view of reality and one’s place within it – and yet it is difficult to see how either can be defended. Neither belief is likely to receive a purely a priori defence and any empirical evidence that one cites either in favour of the existence of God or the existence of the external world would seem to blatantly beg the question against a doubter. I will examine just how far this parallel can be pushed by examining some strategies for resisting external world scepticism.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smith, Dr Martin
• Authors: Smith, M.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Ratio
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0034-0006
• Published Online: 09 February 2011
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 Wiley
• First Published: First published in Ratio 24(1):65-77
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher