A Challenge to Divine Psychologism. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fried, Greg
• Is Part Of: Theology and science. Volume 14:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: God -- Mathematics -- Plantinga -- Propositions -- Thoughts -- Divine psychologism; Religion and science -- Periodicals; Theology -- Periodicals; 261.55
• DOI: 10.1080/14746700.2016.1156329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-6700

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Alvin Plantinga proposes that mathematical objects and propositions are divine thoughts. This position, which I call divine psychologism, resonates with some remarks by contemporary thinkers. Plantinga claims several advantages for his position, and I add another: it helps to explain the glory of mathematics. But my main purpose is to issue a challenge to divine psychologism. I argue that it has an implausible consequence: it identifies an entity with God's relation to that entity. I consider and rebut several ways in which a divine psychologist might argue that this is not really a consequence, or that the identification is plausible.