Evidentialism, Stubborn Counterevidence and Horrendous Evils. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ooi, Daryl
• Is Part Of: Australasian philosophical review. Volume 5:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Evidentialism -- horrendous evils -- sceptical theism -- defeaters; Philosophy -- Periodicals; 101
• DOI: 10.1080/24740500.2021.2000184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-0500

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Dormandy argues that stubborn counterevidence provides a reason for Evidentialists to form negative beliefs about God. Focusing on 'horrendous evils' as a kind of stubborn counterevidence, I discuss two possible interpretations of Dormandy's account (a stronger and a weaker view). Against the stronger view, I consider the case of a Committed Theistic Evidentialist, that is, an evidentialist who possesses a defeater belief against horrendous evils. I argue that it would be improbable that she would form negative beliefs about God on the basis of horrendous evils alone. I consider the response of a Committed Theistic Evidentialist towards horrendous evils, arguing that for her, 'honesty', which results in a psychological struggle, is an excellent-making property of her faith.