Michael Almeida - Is This the Best of All Possible Worlds?

The discussion centers on the 'best possible worlds' argument used by atheists to refute the existence of God. The speaker argues that the atheistic claim that God must actualize the best possible world is logically impossible, primarily because it eliminates free will and moral value. Ultimately, the speaker advises caution in assuming what necessarily follows from the nature of God, suggesting that such assumptions often lead to flawed inferences and pseudo-problems.

Atheistic Argument

• 00:00:08 Atheists contend that since the world is not the best possible, God does not exist. They argue that if God is a perfect being, he must create the optimal world, which this world is not. This is rooted in the idea that if God has the ability to create the best possible world, it's contradictory to the observed reality where suffering and imperfection exist.

Logical Impossibility

• 00:01:30 The speaker asserts that the atheistic argument is logically impossible. The premise that God must actualize the single best possible world eliminates all other possibilities, including any form of free will or moral action, making the world deterministic and devoid of moral value.

Free Will and Moral Value

• 00:02:34 If God were to create the single best possible world, it would necessitate that every event, including all human actions, would be predetermined and occur in a single, necessary sequence. This view, called necessitarianism, eliminates any concept of freedom of choice, making moral actions meaningless and devoid of value.

Suboptimal Worlds

• 00:04:02 The speaker maintains that God's nature allows for the possibility of suboptimal or less-than-ideal worlds. The existence of multiple possibilities, including those that are not the best, forces us to grapple with the implications of God's nature and his relationship to a world that is not perfect.

Cautious Inference

• 00:06:17 The speaker suggests that we should be cautious in inferring conclusions about God's nature and actions. Many common inferences, such as 'God must know all true propositions' or 'God must create the best world,' are not necessarily true and can lead to pseudo-problems. Focusing on clear inferences helps avoid these flawed conclusions.