Evidentialism

Definition

Evidentialism is a philosophical stance that asserts that beliefs, particularly religious beliefs, should be formed based on evidence and rational justification. This perspective emphasizes that it is unreasonable to hold beliefs without sufficient evidence to support them, influencing debates around the rationality of faith, the critique of miracles, and concepts such as divine hiddenness.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Evidentialism argues that individuals should require adequate evidence before accepting any belief, especially religious claims, making it crucial in discussions about the rationality of faith.
2. Critics of evidentialism argue that it may overlook the significance of personal experiences and the role of faith in understanding religious beliefs.
3. In the context of miracles, evidentialists demand verifiable evidence before accepting such events as true, leading to skepticism regarding miraculous claims.
4. Evidentialism can lead to challenges regarding divine hiddenness, as it raises questions about why evidence for God’s existence might not be readily apparent.
5. Prominent proponents of evidentialism include philosophers like William Lane Craig and Richard Swinburne, who argue that evidence can provide strong support for religious belief.

Review Questions

• How does evidentialism challenge traditional views of faith and belief systems?
  • Evidentialism challenges traditional views by insisting that beliefs should be grounded in evidence rather than mere faith or tradition. This creates a tension between faith-based approaches, which may prioritize personal experience or spiritual conviction, and evidentialist perspectives that demand rational justification. As a result, this approach shifts the focus to what can be supported through empirical evidence, raising questions about the legitimacy of holding beliefs without such support.
• In what ways does evidentialism interact with critiques of miracles within religious contexts?
  • Evidentialism interacts with critiques of miracles by placing a high demand for empirical evidence before accepting any miraculous claims. Proponents argue that without substantial proof, such events cannot be rationally justified as real. This leads to skepticism about reported miracles and challenges believers to substantiate their claims, potentially undermining the acceptance of these events within various religious traditions.
• Evaluate the implications of evidentialism on discussions surrounding divine hiddenness and religious belief.
  • Evidentialism has significant implications for discussions about divine hiddenness by questioning why there is a lack of clear evidence for God's existence if such evidence would lead more individuals to believe. This perspective suggests that if God exists and desires belief from humanity, then one would expect more evident signs or miracles. The tension arises when considering why such evidence may not be accessible; evidentialists might argue this absence undermines faith-based claims, while critics contend it could enhance the value of personal conviction and spiritual experience despite the lack of empirical proof.

Related terms

Rationalism: A belief system that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, often in contrast to faith-based beliefs.

Empiricism: The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience, often linked to evidentialist arguments about the basis for belief.

Atheism: The absence of belief in the existence of deities, which can be a position supported by evidentialist reasoning.