Some New Arguments for the Principle of Sufficient Reason?

Posted on August 22, 2018 by jamesbradfordpate

Reblogging for future reference.

Philosophy of Religion blog

The Principle of Sufficient Reason (or PSR) states that everything that exists has an explanation for its existence. As Sean Carroll points out, “The PSR is kind of like that bumper sticker that says ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’ “.

Defending the truth of the PSR has not been easy for those that endorse it. Trying to defend it empirically leaves obvious problems on the table. Trying to justify it a priori hasn’t been easy either. For one, there doesn’t seem to be any contradiction in denying the PSR. Thus, the defender of PSR would have to show there is a contradiction. Secondly, appealing to intuitions shouldn’t be very convincing (if that’s the route one takes).

Recently, however, I have heard a sort of new argument for the PSR. I first read about it in Ed Feser’s recent book on God’s existence, but I then just heard it on a…

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About jamesbradfordpate

My name is James Pate. This blog is about my journey. I read books. I watch movies and TV shows. I go to church. I try to find meaning. And, when I can’t do that, I just talk about stuff that I find interesting. I have degrees in fields of religious studies. I have an M.Phil. in the History of Biblical Interpretation from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have an M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Jewish Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from DePauw University.
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