On the Fact of Faith Cover Image

O fakcie wiary
On the Fact of Faith

Author(s): Błażej Gębura
Subject(s): Philosophy, Special Branches of Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: theism vs. atheism; great fact of faith; objection from the statistical yearbook; objection from the inconsiderable fact of faith; objection from nonempirical reasons; J.L. Schellenberg; Jacek Wojtysi

Summary/Abstract: Jacek Wojtysiak argues that by claiming the great fact of faith one can demonstrate the superiority of theism over atheism. Against this view, I formulate three objections: an objection from the statistical yearbook, an objection from the inconsiderable fact of faith, and an objection from nonempirical reasons. The objection from the statistical yearbook draws attention to the fact that the greatness of a fact of faith is always relativized to the moment in time at which it is stated. And this raises the question of which fact the theist should invoke. The objection from the inconsiderable fact of faith suggests that, in the dispute between theism and atheism, it does not matter whether the fact of faith is pluralizable, and thus how many entities are involved. The objection from non-empirical reasons promotes the view that establishing the empirical circumstances of certain religions does not bring the theists and atheists closer to resolving their debate.

  • Issue Year: 71/2023
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 109-117
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish