Philosophia Christi

Volume 15, Issue 2, 2013

Ramified Natural Objects

Natural Theology and the Uses of Argument

Arguments in natural theology have recently increased in their number and level of sophistication. However, there has not been much analysis of the ways in which these arguments should be evaluated as good, taken collectively or individually. After providing an overview of some proposed goals and good-making criteria for arguments in natural theology, we provide an analysis that stands as a corrective to some of the ill-formed standards that are currently in circulation. Specifically, our analysis focuses on the relation between the truth of the premises and the conclusion of an argument. In addition to providing a clearer account of what makes an argument good, our account provides a positive role for “weak” arguments, especially within cumulative case arguments in ramified natural theology.