DEBATE: What Is the Best Account of Objective Morality? Erik Wielenberg vs. Adam Lloyd Johnson

11 months ago
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apologetics philosophy metaethics morality ethics faith reason divine command Wielenberg

Dr. Erik J. Wielenberg, an atheist philosopher and Professor of Philosophy at DePauw University, and Dr. Adam Lloyd Johnson, a Christian philosopher and director of the Ratio Christi chapter at UNL, discuss the foundation of morality and whether or not God is necessary to explain the existence of objective moral values and duties. This debate was held on September 27, 2020, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, hence the requirement that all participants, including speakers, wear face coverings.

To order a copy of Erik Wielenberg's book "Robust Ethics," which explains his theory of godless normative realism, visit this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198812000/.

To order a copy of Adam Lloyd Johnson's book responding to Erik Wielenberg's theory, "Divine Love Theory: How the Trinity Is the Source and Foundation of Morality," visit its page here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0825447577/.

You can also order a copy of the book mentioned during the debate of which both Adam and Erik are authors: "A Debate on God and Morality: What is the Best Account of Objective Moral Values and Duties?" at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0367135655/.

Click here https://linktr.ee/convincingproof/ for articles, podcasts, and other resources from Convincing Proof that give good reasons and evidence to believe that Christianity is true. You can find resources on apologetics, theology, philosophy, ethics, and more.

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Contents
0:00 Introduction
2:49 How Do You Know Each Other?
5:26 What Do You Both Agree On?
10:39 Why Do You Believe that Morality Is Objective and Real?
16:54 What Is the Historical Context of Your Position?
23:01 Why Do You Think God Does or Doesn't Exist?
28:48 What Do You Appreciate about Each Other's Position?
33:05 TO ADAM: Is the Goodness of the Love in the Trinity a Moral Axiom?
38:48 TO ERIK: Do Atheists Reject Your Theory Because It’s Non-Natural?
43:14 TO ADAM: Without the Triune God, Does Human Love Have No Value?
48:19 TO ERIK: Do You Have Evidence to Believe Moral Axioms Exist?
52:24 TO ADAM: Why Is Anyone Obligated to Obey God?
56:47 TO ERIK: Are Moral Axioms Really a Good Stopping Point?
1:02:40 TO ADAM: Are We Morally Obligated Only if We’ll Be Punished for Not Doing Something?
1:07:12 TO ERIK: How Is Our Knowledge of Moral Axioms Not Just a Lucky Coincidence?
1:13:25 Questions from the Audience
1:13:41 What Methods Should We Use to Answer New Moral Questions?
1:18:50 What Would Make You Change Your Mind about God's Existence?
1:22:54 TO ERIK: What Is the Downside in Your View to Breaking a Moral Law?
1:27:20 TO ADAM: Would You Believe in the Trinity if You Weren't a Christian?
1:31:23 TO ERIK: What or Who Defines Right and Wrong for You?
1:35:57 TO ERIK: Should We Base our Laws on Moral Goodness?
1:40:36 TO ADAM: Could God Command People to do Different Things?
1:47:18 TO ERIK: Do You Morally Distinguish Between Animals and Humans?
1:51:40 Conclusion

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