Plantinga - 1: Arguments against Theism

Alvin Plantinga is the most influential figure in recent philosophy of religion. He is often credited with having restored the respectability of theism among analytic philosophers. Although coming from a Calvinist tradition, he now teaches at Notre Dame.

These exercises deal with a small book that Plantinga wrote for beginners. Part I of the book criticizes arguments against the existence of God, especially the "problem of evil" argument. Part II discusses arguments in favor of the existence of God and defends a form of the ontological argument.

These summaries and problems deal with the Introduction and Part I of Plantinga's God, Freedom, and Evil (Harper & Row, New York, 1974). These exercise materials are copyrighted (c) 1998 by Harry J. Gensler but may be distributed freely.