Flashcards
Religious Language - falsification principle
Cards in this deck (23)
- 1What is the Falsification principle?The idea that a statement is scientific if our empirical experiences could falsify them.
Aims to improve on VP by suggesting that the difficulty with RL is that there's no proven state of affairs which can prove it false. - 2Quote from: Karl Popper (originator of FP)'Any theory that is impossible to disprove is no valid theory at all'
- 3Who created the parable of the Gardener?John Wisdom
- 4Who adapted the parable to the clearing of the jungle?Anthony Flew
- 5What does Anthony Flew argue about Tiger's stripes?When we say 'tigers have striped' we both saying that and denying the opposite 'tigers don't have stripes'. When saying a statement you are also asserting the claim there are facts which may counter against your claim.
- 6What is the parable of the Jungle?2 explorers come across a clearing in the jungle, one says someone must tend to the plot, the other disagrees. No gardener is even seen when watching the plot. One suggests it is invisible and cannot be smelt. Believe still believes yet the sceptic says the original assertion keeps changing to suit the parameters of the gardeners possible existence.
- 7What does the parable mean?It is sometimes seen that believers continually qualify their beliefs in light of contrary evidence.
- 8Quote from: Anthony Flew'Death by a thousand qualifications'
- 9What does Flew conclude about Religious statements?They are meaningless because there is nothing that can counter against religious statements, they can neither be verified or falsified.
- 10What does Flew say about the beleivers statements about God?Christians may say 'God is good' no matter what evidence is offered against this. Constant qualifications render religious statements meaningless as they die a death by a thousand qualifications.
- 11What did Hare think about Flew's argument?He thought he did not understand the nature of God.
- 12What parable does R.M Hare use to respond to the FP?Theory of Bliks.
Parable of lunatic and the dons. - 13Explain Hare's BliksThe lunatic believes all dons will kill him, even after meeting the most kind and gentle don
- 14How do Hare's bliks relate to the FP?Bliks are non-rational and cannot be falsified because they are groundless. Hare argues that even though they cannot be falsified they are still meaningful for those who believe in them?
- 15What blik do we have everyday?Trusting the metal of a car.
We have a like that the metal is strong and the car is safe to drive at high speeds - 16How does this link to RL?Hare is saying that for religious believers RL is meaningful because it affects the way they live regardless of the truth. He says statements are non-cognitive.
- 17How did Hick criticise bliks?He says there is an inconsistency as Hare claims that there is a distinction between sane and insane bliks, but also claims they are not verifiable or falsifiable. If we cannot dis/prove religious bliks then we cannot call them right, wrong, sane or insane.
- 18How does Basil Mitchell object to Hare's bliks?Says that bliks are grounded on valid reasoning. Just because God may seem like a resistance leader who occasionaly helps the enemy, does not mean he is on that side. The power of faith is stronger than any evidence against God.
- 19What does Hick say about Mitchells parable?That the fighter (God) will be able to explain his true allegiance after the war in the same way religious beliefs are revealed at the end of time.
- 20Positives of FP?1. Saves time discussing God
2. Distinguishes between sane and insane
3. Supports a posteriori evidence (design argument) - 21What is Swinburne's Challenge to the FP?If toys came alive in your bedroom you wouldn't know so it cannot be falsified. Perhaps we cannot falsify God because we do not know enough about him.
- 22What is R.B Braithwaithe's challenge?Argues RL is meaningful because it is prescriptive and recommends a course of action. e.g. God Loves me, has meaning because it advises you to live your life in a loving way.
- 23What is Ayer's challenge to religious language?Statements cannot be falsified no more than they can be verified.
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- a2 Religious Studies (Philosophy) Flashcards on Religious Language - falsification principle, created by Ella Foster on 08/02/2017.
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