Advertise on podcast: The Uncertainty Podcast

Joshua Rasmussen explains his cosmological argument for God's existence: the existence of contingent things requires an explanation, and God fits the bill. Roughly stated, for sure, but that's the idea. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X because you’re awesome. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:57 Why the question matters 00:10:29 Is ultimate reality beyond logic? 00:14:55 Contingent vs. necessary things 00:20:44 Stage #1 - From contingent things to a necessary being 00:26:38 What is an "explanation"? 00:36:23 Why should there be an explanation of all contingent things? 00:47:37 Should we trust what intuition tells us? 00:55:56 Conflicting empirical generalizations - a la Joe Schmid 01:04:04 Stage #2 - From a necessary being to God 01:12:52 Even a limitless God requires explanation 01:23:37 Graham Oppy's necessary initial state of nature Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

William Lane Craig, Christian philosopher and apologist, returns to the channel to defend his use of cosmology in support of the kalam cosmological argument. In particular, we focus on recent critiques of his work from Daniel Linford, Phil Halper, Niayesh Afshordi, and others. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X because you're awesome. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:06 Craig's case for a cosmic beginning 02:55 "We don't have a quantum theory of gravity" 09:24 Has Craig misunderstood probabilities? 15:44 Can you give a parody argument against a beginning? 20:23 Finite past vs. beginning to exist 24:08 The emergence of spacetime 28:05 The Malament-Manchak theorem 35:42 The BGV theorem and its limits 42:08 The generalized second law of thermodynamics 44:26 Sean Carroll's model of an eternal universe 47:58 Why don't all cosmologists agree about a beginning? 50:39 Does your scientific case require your philosophical case? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Robyn Faith Walsh, professor of New Testament at the University of Miami, discusses how people in antiquity would have understood the concept of "resurrection", whether Jesus or Paul was the true founder of Christianity and what Paul meant when he said that we will be raised with "spiritual bodies", and what facts the historian can establish concerning the events before and after Jesus' death. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:07 Can historians verify miracles? 00:06:37 Did the ancients take their myths literally? 00:08:31 What did Paul think about the resurrection? 00:19:22 Did Paul preach a spiritual resurrection? 00:25:56 Do historians take the case for the resurrection seriously? 00:44:18 Fact #1: Was Jesus crucified? 00:46:56 Fact #2: Was Jesus buried in a tomb? 00:52:10 Fact #3: Was Jesus' tomb found empty? 00:54:35 Fact #4: Did Jesus' followers report appearances of Jesus alive? 01:00:00 Fact #5: The origin of the Christian faith 01:06:07 Was Paul the real founder of Christianity? 01:08:00 How to be objective when studying Jesus Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Alex Malpass and I sit down to hash out our differences surrounding the fine-tuning argument for theism. The debate is a veritable blood bath of ruthless repartee and, at times, intellectual genius - and we hope you enjoy. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:36 Miles's opening statement00:06:56 Alex's opening statement00:19:36 Does the stalking-horse objection prove too much?00:31:11 Can you prove aliens didn't raise Jesus from the dead?00:46:03 Is theism more likely than augmented naturalism?00:55:53 What if our universe is a computer simulation?00:57:11 Even an omnipotent God couldn't make belief rational.01:00:00 "I don't think you're an idiot, Alex!"01:03:05 Is theism a simple hypothesis?01:15:00 Miles's closing statement01:17:48 Alex's closing statement Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Huemer returns to the channel to answer YOUR best objections to his case for free will. While I originally styled this as a "bonus" episode, it is not a bonus. It's the main weekly thing. Forgive me. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. Check out our original discussion about free will. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:21 Objection #1 - You've got the wrong definition of "free will". 00:03:10 Objection #2 - Free will is incoherent. 00:07:48 Objection #3 - Free will leads to an infinite regress. 00:09:06 Objection #4 - Philosophers can't agree on what "free will" even means. 00:13:38 Objection #5 - Mike's argument is question-begging. Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

With the gracious hosting of Amos Wollen, myself and Noah McKay debated Alex Malpass and Nathan Bray on the question of God's existence - specifically, theism versus naturalism. Noah and I defended theism via appeal to a historical case for miracles and the fine-tuning of the universe for life. Alex and Nathan contended that theism was no better an explanation for these phenomena than naturalism, and that because naturalism is simpler than theism then, all thing being equal, we ought to prefer it to theism. This was an exciting, substantive exchange, and I hope you like it. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 01:50 Miles's opening statement 07:15 Noah's opening statement 13:29 Nathan's opening statement 19:28 Alex's opening statement 25:58 Cross-examining Miles 46:39 Cross-examining Noah 01:06:48 Cross-examining Nathan 01:27:09 Cross-examining Alex 01:47:12 Closing statements Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Huemer returns to the channel to discuss arguments for and against skepticism, the thesis that we cannot know much of anything, including whether or not we are dreaming right now. Other topics discussed: direct realism about perception and the arguments from illusion and hallucination, phenomenal conservatism, and the costs and benefits of self-publishing.Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:44 What got Michael into self-publishing? 00:08:35 How do I know I'm not dreaming right now? 00:21:46 The argument for external world skepticism 00:26:57 A critique of phenomenal conservatism 00:32:29 Is a "real external world" the best explanation of our evidence? 00:46:00 Direct versus indirect perceptual realism 00:51:08 The argument from illusion 00:56:11 The argument from hallucination 01:03:05 Can we know we're not in a simulation? 01:12:01 The problem of other minds Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Theologian and philosopher David Bentley Hart explains the contours of his argument against materialism is his new book, All Things Are Full of Gods: The Mysteries of Mind and Life. We explore his idealist leanings, the claim that a mechanistic approach to nature could never explain consciousness, and the thesis that atman is brahman, that I am fundamentally identical to infinite consciousness. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:42 What do we mean by "mind"? 00:09:24 Are you an idealist? 00:15:21 Panpsychism 00:28:18 Convince me that consciousness exists at all. 00:46:09 Sean Carroll's case for naturalism, considered 00:54:14 Is this just a type of "God of the gaps" reasoning? 01:00:34 Do fine-tuning and cosmological arguments for God succeed? 01:07:47 Is atman Brahman? 01:12:50 Does this mean that I am God? 01:19:34 What are you most uncertain of? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

David Wallace, professor of philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, explains why he finds the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics convincing. We discuss probability, what it means for persons to "split", whether teleportation means death, and the role of philosophy in assessing science. Video of this interview is available on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:22 What is the difference between quantum and classical mechanics? 00:08:12 The measurement problem 00:14:16 The many-worlds interpretation 00:19:46 Why can't I see other branches of reality? 00:33:13 Is many-worlds crazy and absurd? 00:37:57 The probability problem 00:50:58 Do people split in two when the universe branches? 01:00:11 Does many-worlds explain fine-tuning? 01:04:56 Should many-worlds change the way we live? 01:16:30 Of what are you most uncertain? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Philosopher, author, and intelligent-design advocate Stephen Meyer joins me to discuss the arguments of his recent book, Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries that Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe. While we only got around to two of those three discoveries, our conversation was robust, engaging, and will interest both advocates and critics of Stephen's work. Check out video of our discussion on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:11 Interview with Joe Rogan 00:03:19 Stephen's basic case for God 00:12:05 Data point #1 - Origin of the universe 00:17:26 The limits of singularity theorems 00:25:45 Quantum cosmology and theories of quantum gravity 00:32:36 What if spacetime is emergent? 00:36:45 Why is a beginning more likely under theism? 00:41:22 Data point #2 - Cosmic fine-tuning 00:46:40 Why is fine-tuning unlikely under naturalism? 00:53:31 Why is fine-tuning likely under theism? 00:57:55 Technical objection: No background information 01:03:04 The multiverse hypothesis 01:08:19 Do we need a "scientific" theory of the multiverse? 01:13:20 Richard Dawkins' argument: God is complex 01:17:24 But what about evil and suffering? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Prof. Daniel Wolne explains historical theories of religion with special focus on Sigmund Freud's speculation that religious belief arises from a projection of a father figure onto the universe. We then dive into contemporary theories arising from the cognitive science of religion: theory of mind, hyperactive agency detection devices, and social function theories. Check out video of our discussion on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:51 Explanation vs. theory of religion 00:07:26 Methodological naturalism 00:16:48 What is "religion"? 00:27:44 Sigmund Freud - Is religion just projection of a father figure? 00:39:42 What about non-theistic religions? 00:42:09 Is religion the response to fear of death? 00:45:22 Cognitive science of religion 00:50:52 Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD) 01:06:06 What is religion's social function? 01:11:56 Does cognitive science undermine religious belief? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Isn't "smorgasbord" a great word? Amos Wollen, my friend and fellow Oxford graduate student, joins me to debate his novel argument for the compatibility of God's love and an eternal Hell, a theodicy involving our consenting to suffering prior to our births, a case for the Baha'i faith, a fine-tuning argument from beauty, and the real reason that I take so many bathroom breaks. Check out the video of the debate on YouTube. Amos has a great Substack that you should absolutely read. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:50 A new argument for Hell 39:43 A pre-existence theodicy 01:04:52 A fine-tuning argument from beauty 01:25:02 A case for the Baha'i faith Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Two philosophers come together to debate the question of whether objective, mind-independent moral facts exist. Mike says yes, Matt says no. They discuss whether we can ever have reason to go against our desires, whether beliefs about morality make any difference to our behavior, how we know things about the world, and the relevance of intuitions. Check out the video of the debate on YouTube. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:45 Dr. Matt Lutz opening statement 00:11:49 Dr. Michael Huemer opening statement 00:24:43 Do moral obligations involve impossible kinds of reasons? 00:41:40 Can the error theorist make sense of doing something against one’s desires? 00:56:08 If moral facts disappeared, would we live our lives differently? 01:14:34 What’s wrong with intuition as a ground for moral knowledge? 01:29:05 How do we know logical and mathematical truths? 01:35:46 Dr. Matt Lutz closing statement 01:36:54 Dr. Dr. Michael Huemer closing statement Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Emerson Green walks through three powerful objections to attempts to reduce consciousness to the brain: phenomenal transparency, philosophical zombies, and vagueness.Check out Emerson's YouTube channel. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:05 What are you a YouTuber? 00:19:08 Objection #1 - Phenomenal transparency 00:29:22 Why physicalism cannot tolerate transparency 00:32:31 What if consciousness is translucent? 00:38:36 Maybe there are no mental states at all 00:49:52 Objection #2 - Philosophical zombies 01:00:57 Different types of conceivability 01:12:29 What about modal skepticism? 01:17:32 Objection #3 - Vagueness 01:24:40 When do we go from non-conscious to conscious? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Randal Rauser and I explore the arguments of his new book, The Wideness of the Sea: How to be Evangelical and Gay-Affirming, wherein he offers a four-part case for including a gay-affirming perspective within the fold of Christian orthodoxy: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee. Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:12 The tale of Eugene Peterson 00:04:45 What is evangelical Christianity? 00:09:10 Affirming vs. non-affirming perspectives 00:14:55 Why do evangelicals care so much about gay relationships? 00:24:19 Argument #1: The Bible 00:40:25 Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man..." 00:45:10 Romans 1:26-27 - "God gave them over..." 00:50:05 Argument #2: Reason 00:51:11 William Lane Craig's case against homosexuality 00:54:22 Against natural law? 00:58:32 Argument #3: Tradition 01:07:28 Argument #4: Experience Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe