Spring 2012 Newsletter Notes from the Director Table of Contents Notes from the Director ...... 1 ear Colleagues and modern philosophy, as well as projects Friends of the Center, exploring some of the most well- Philosophy, Understanding, and Being a Person...... 2 Last year, under known contemporary strategies for – Robert C. Roberts the direction of responding to the problem. Research Year In Review...... 3 Sam Newlands, fellowships in analytic theology begin we undertook a next year; and we are offering a variety Of Faith and Fido ...... 4 major overhaul of the Center’s website. of additional funding opportunities in – Trent Dougherty D(Check it out at philreligion.nd.edu) In analytic theology as well. We continue the course of that revision, the graphic to sponsor our very successful Food A Sublime Year at the Center...... 5 design staff remarked that our level for Thought series, which provides – Andrew Chignell of activity and content was about each semester a catered dinner and Salvation, Evil, and the Divine Attributes ...... 6 comparable to that of a small college. philosophy discussion for some 50 – – Gary Gutting Indeed! We are now in our third year 60 undergraduates; and we have also of the “Problem of Evil in Modern begun working with the Philosophy 2011 – 2012 Center Fellows...... 9 and Contemporary Thought” project Club on campus. The Center’s staple Interview with Chen Jiangjin...... 12 (evilandtheodicy.org), and the “Analytic activity, however, continues to be analytictheology. Theology Project” ( the weekly discussion group, which Former Center Director in Headlines...... 13 org ) is also in full swing. Our research features work-in-progress by our – Matt Getz visitors this year are pursuing projects research visitors, local faculty, and related to the problem of evil in early occasional outside speakers. We are Recent Work by Past Fellows and Friends excited about the research that of the CPR...... 14 is being done here, and you can Upcoming Events in the Center...... 16 learn more about it in the pages that follow as well as on our website. (Be sure to check out the new “Resources” link on the website as well!)
Center Director, Michael Rea
1 Feature Article Philosophy, Understanding, and Being a Person Robert C. Roberts
øren Kierkegaard says may also have made a human wreck of reflection that could contribute to my somewhere that every hu- yourself (not to speak of the others you development as a person and to the de- man being’s fundamental may infect with your twisted under- velopment of any people my thought task is to become himself standing). might affect. I suppose that’s what has or herself, an individ- drawn me to ethics, and within ethics ual who knows what it In the above I distinguished under- to the discipline of moral psychology— means to exist as a human being and standing from understanding in a the study of such matters as human who exemplifies that knowledge in his certain way. Whenever we understand, emotions, motivation, virtues, happi- orS her own existence. Might philoso- we understand in some way, but to ness, self-understanding, and personal phy contribute something to such a understand (full stop) implies avoid- relations with others. project? To think so is to suppose that ing the many distorting ways offered The ethical tradition the achievement of that supplies the frame- a maturely human work for my under- identity involves “It is ... possible, ... by understanding standing of these mat- understanding in some something in a certain way, to backslide ters is the Christian one, intimate way. I as- understood without sume that one of the in your understanding, understanding less much insistence on doc- chief aims of philoso- after you’ve done all that work than you trines that have divided phy is understanding. Christians historical- Understanding comes understood before.” ly—thus “ecumenical” in degrees: whatever Christianity, but not in you understand, you the sense of the ecumenical movement always might understand it better, and in the history of philosophy and the of the 1960s and 70s. It seems to me even if you understand only a little, contemporary philosophical scene. that ethical theories as they appear in at least you understand that much. This is a tall order, and Kierkegaard in modern philosophy systematically dis- It is also possible, unfortunately, by effect raises the stakes in connecting tort ethical concepts and thus lead to understanding something in a certain our reflective understanding with the the kind of false understandings, with way, to backslide in your understand- fundamental task of each individual’s potential distortions of persons, that ing, understanding less after you’ve very existence. I noted above. Modern ethical done all that work than you theories such as deontologies, understood before. This can consequentialisms, social con- be the lamentable effect of tract theories, divine command false philosophical theories. theories, and the more recent If naturalism, or consequen- virtue ethics theories that are tialism, or virtue ethics is modeled on the earlier ones, false, and you succeed in are artificial regimentations of deeply understanding your the ethical concepts in which own existence in its terms so some one privileged concept as to shape your character, is assigned a foundational or your actions, your emotions, quasi-foundational role, and and your way of perceiving the attempt is then made to your fellow human beings in derive all the other important accordance with that under- De Generation en Generation, by Bruce Krebs; concepts from the privileged standing, you may not only Photo by Saad Kadhi one. I think this procedure is have ceased to understand fundamentally flawed, in part what you understood before For quite a long time I have wanted the because the concepts just don’t work the theory got hold of you, but you philosophy I practice to be a kind of 2 in the way supposed. If anyone ever and Values starts with an introduction making a theory of, or out of, them. I concertedly tried to live by the under- titled “Studying Virtues” and then stress the virtues’ structural diversity, standing so generated, his life would discusses various ways that emotions and also how a virtue of one type can be a mess, though rescue comes to can have moral value. Virtues consists differ from one moral tradition to most theorists in the form of existential of sustained explorations of particular the next (e.g. Nietzschean generosity sloth: they never get around to living virtues such as compassion, justice, or courage compared with Christian rigorously by such understanding. courage, generosity and gratitude, generosity or courage). Also in the in- sense of duty, and sense of humor, with terest of personally usable conceptual My project for this year at the Cen- special attention to the involvement understanding, I try to make frequent ter for Philosophy of Religion is two of emotions in or with the virtues. The use of narrative examples from fiction books entitled tentatively Emotions and books are not a “virtue ethics” in the and life. Juxtaposition of diverse moral Values and Virtues. Both books consti- modern sense, because I make no effort frameworks and use of narrative aim tute a sequel to my Emotions: An Essay to establish that virtue is a more funda- to provide the reader with what Witt- in Aid of Moral Psychology (2003), which mental concept than any of the other genstein calls “perspicuous representa- was substantially written during an ethical concepts. The book aims at tions” of the concepts in question. earlier visit to the Center. Emotions understanding the virtues rather than
Year In Review
t has been another fruitful year experiences in which non-sensory The 2011-12 year is again marked by at the Center for Philosophy information can be received with a a number of lectures, conferences and of Religion. In addition to the kind of directness that gives emotions workshops. On October 6-8 the Center Center’s numerous established a special epistemic status. Thus emo- co-organized the Baylor-Georgetown- activities, both Templeton tions can serve for moral judgments in Notre Dame Philosophy of Religion Projects are now active and the same way that perceptions function Workshop, which was held this year in thriving (more on page 8). One result for sensory judgments, giving us a way Washington D.C. At the end of October, of the Projects is a record number of the Center sponsored a musical lecture fellowsI being hosted this year, which for undergraduates and their parents, has produced lively discussions each who were in town ostensibly for a foot- Friday. The Friday discussion group ball game, by Professor William Edgar has also seen distinguished visitors, of Westminster Theological Seminary such as Eleonore Stump and former called “Beauty for Ashes”: Evil, Suffering, fellows Chris Tucker and Ryan Nich- and the Christian Roots of Jazz. ols. This summer the Center’s website was redesigned to be more useful than Still to come this spring are two exciting ever, with more developments on the events. First, on March 30-31 philoso- way. Visit us at philreligion.nd.edu. phers from all over will join the Skepti- cal Theism research fellows to discuss On September 30, Baylor University’s Skeptical Theism and Explanatory Distinguished Professor of Ethics Robert Audi and Robert C. Roberts discuss Arguments from Evil. Then on April Robert C. Roberts delivered the Tenth the virtue of faith. 13-14 philosophers and scientists will Annual Alvin Plantinga Fellow Lec- gather to discuss the nature, extent, and ture, entitled “Emotions and Moral moral-theological significance of animal Judgments: What role do emotions pain. Both conferences are due to the play in mature moral judgments?” to understand and know moral and planning efforts of the fellows funded Professor Roberts explained how emo- spiritual truths. by the Problem of Evil Project. tions belong to a class of perceptual continued on page 8 3 Feature Article Of Faith and Fido Trent Dougherty
’m very happy to be here at connections, it’s just that we can’t see skepticism about our ability to discern the Center this year. It’s a very them. On the other hand, a simple the connections between suffering, stimulating environment. The explanation for not seeing something virtue, and vice which bear on the family enjoys long walks on is that it’s not there. We must ask the evidential problem of evil. My current campus, riding mountain bikes question when absence of evidence is work focuses on two of those skepti- in Rum Village as well as sled- evidence of absence. Sometimes it is cisms. Most attention has been paid ding and XC skiing there. I enjoy the and sometimes it isn’t. Theists who to human suffering. In fact, only one other Fellows very much, both profes- are skeptical that we would be able to book has been written in recent times sionally—II will be collaborating with see such connections even if they were on the problem of animal suffering some of the other Fellows this year—and there are sometimes called “skeptical (Michael Murray wrote Nature Red in socially—both Pub Night at the Fiddler’s theists” and the view they advocate Tooth and Claw in part here at the Cen- Hearth and Poker ter). I am working Night (don’t even on a book to kick get me started!). “We should explore skepticisms other than the off Palgrave-Mac- skepticism about our knowledge to discern the Millan’s New Fron- My work here at tiers in Philosophy of the center focuses connections between suffering, virtue, and vice Religion called The on the problem of which bear on the evidential problem of evil.” Problem of Animal evil. It is a problem Pain: A Theodicy for for theists because All Creatures Great it doesn’t obviously fit in to the and Small. It looks at two skepti- story of the world according to cisms involved in the problem theism. Well, that’s not right of of animal pain. The first is skep- course: the theistic story includes ticism about whether animals a lot of evil. So it can’t be evil even feel morally relevant pain. as such that causes a problem The second skepticism is skepti- for theism. But there are certain cism about whether animals kinds of evil that don’t seem to are capable of morally relevant fit in well. Particularly when properties which would connect innocent people suffer for no their pain with the develop- good reason. Okay, so there are ment of virtue. I argue against no innocent people. Neverthe- both these skepticisms. That less, lots of suffering is uncon- is, I argue both that there is nected to guilt for past wrong Mizpor Shalom, by Ursula Malbin; sufficient reason to believe that photo by Guillaume Paumier in any obvious way. Nor can animals feel morally relevant we discern any plausible line pain and that there is sufficient connecting the suffering to any greater called “skeptical theism” (this term reason to believe—or at least not doubt good in the future. These instances of was coined by this-year fellow Paul too strongly—that animals have or will suffering—apparently isolated from Draper, last year’s Plantinga Fellow). have properties which connect their any past vice or future virtue—don’t fit suffering to the development of virtue. into a story that connects pain to these There are interesting reasons for and two broader phenomena. against skeptical theism, but my work I’m afraid you’ll have to read the book involves broadening the discussion to get more, and if you like it, you can But here’s the rub: we must allow for between skepticisms and theism. That thank the folks at the Center for pro- the possibility that there really are such is, there are skepticisms other than the viding the opportunity to write it.
4 A Sublime Year at the Center Andrew Chignell
all 2010 witnessed an however, and it was the one that I hap- tionary argument against naturalism, unusual influx of histo- pened to inherit upon arrival in South about who had really won the mano- rians of philosophy into Bend. Apparently I also inherited its a-mano with Daniel Dennett at the the Center. It was the phone number: over the course of the 2009 Central APA, about whether the first year of the multi- year I received calls from academics, “Aquinas-Calvin model” of religious year Templeton grant students, members of the public, and belief formation in Plantinga’s work is on the problem of evil, and “Evil in the odd reporter hoping to ask “Profes- really Calvinist, or about whether they Modern Thought” was the theme. In sor Plantinga” (“Plantinger,” “Plat- should quit their day jobs and consider additionF to the various early modern- inga,” “Platlingua,” etc.) about various graduate work in philosophy of reli- ists who were sponsored by that grant, religious, philosophical, and even gion. I often (not always) enjoyed these there were also the regular Center personal issues. Most were surprised occasional breaks from my own day fellows, of which I was one. Since to hear that he was no longer at Notre job, and tried to answer the questions my work is also primar- as best I could. ily historical, however, the balance was tipped “Are there episodes that do not result My work at the Center was in favor of historians for in explicitly religious epiphanies but the year (much to Sam focused not on evil, but Newlands’ delight). As a still count as an experience of the rather on the somewhat sun- result, Michael Rea, Tom nier concepts of sublimity and Flint, Robert Audi, and the religious sublime?” hope (indeed, I suspected that other regulars working in I had been awarded the fel- contemporary philosophy lowship in order to balance had to slog (and they did so off some of the research graciously) through numer- on evil taking place at the ous colloquium papers on Center that year). Dur- Leibniz, Bayle, Desgabets, ing the first part of the fall Kant, and the like. The year term, I fulfilled a promise also featured major interna- to a forthcoming volume tional conferences on Pierre on The Sublime (ed. Timothy Bayle, on G.W.F. Leibniz’s M. Costelloe, Cambridge Theodicy, and on Evil in the University Press) by writing Scottish Enlightenment. a chapter called “Religion and the Sublime.” My In addition to being the first co-author Matthew Halte- Year of Evil, 2010-2011 was man (Calvin College) and I the first year after former Snowstorm: Steamboat off a Harbour’s Mouth, by J. M. W. Turner discussed ways in which the director Alvin Plantinga’s aesthetic concept of sublim- full retirement from Notre ity is connected to religion, Dame. Although he was already living Dame and quickly signed off. Some and in particular how experience of the in Grand Rapids at this point, Plant- callers, however, seemed content to sublime differs, if at all, from religious inga retained an office in Malloy Hall talk to an unknown Kant scholar from experience. and came back on occasion to meet Cornell about whatever it was they with graduate students. The next- had called to discuss with the O’Brien A central question we faced was that of door office that had long housed his Chair. I thus found myself engaged in whether the concept of sublimity or the administrative assistant was vacated, longish conversations about the evolu- continued on page 7 5 Feature Article Salvation, Evil, and the Divine Attributes Gary Gutting
he following are some properties are not necessary to guaran- of the problem of evil in subtle and tentative thoughts that tee our salvation. God could be totally complex logical detail. But, as I see it, developed out of my committed to saving us, even if he, say, the only viable answer to the question, graduate seminar last lacked appropriate moral attitudes to How could an all-good and all-power- semester. I’m currently other beings. Similarly, he might lack ful God create an imperfect world?, is trying to develop them power over forces that are irrelevant to that such a God may have knowledge in more detail and would welcome human salvation. beyond our understanding. As Hume comments and suggestions. suggested long ago, the problem of T More importantly, the omni-properties evil is solved only by an appeal to our The Christian religion responds to of natural theology are not sufficient to ignorance. deep human hopes, most importantly guarantee our salvation. Omnipotence our hope to be ultimately safe (saved) assures the divine power to do what- This is an important philosophical in a world of peril. This is not to say ever is needed to save us. But omni- result for believers, since it shows there’s nothing to religion beyond this benevolence could prove an obstacle to why all atheistic arguments from the hope, just that a worldview that does our salvation. existence of evil to the nonexistence of not fulfill it will not God fail. But the philo- be religiously fulfill- sophical escape from the ing. Our salvation “Once the appeal is made to the gap problem of evil is a two- may depend on our between God’s knowledge and ours, we edged sword. Appealing free choice (e.g., to cannot move from what we think God to our ignorance of God’s accept divine grace), knowledge saves us from but given the right would do to what he does do.” the apparent contradic- choices, salvation is tion of a world created by assured. an all-good God but still To see this, consider standard ways containing evils. But it also restricts God, of course, must be the sure source of responding to the problem of evil. much of what we would like to say of that salvation. He must be good in the Contemporary philosophers have about God. sense of fully committed to working for worked through the twists and turns our salvation (given any free cooper- In particular, it restricts our judg- ation needed from us) and powerful ments about what an all-good God to the extent of assuring that no exter- would do. It may seem to us that nal circumstances (factors outside his God would never, given our proper and our wills) will interfere with our moral disposition, allow us not to salvation. These are what we might be saved. But it also seems to us that call the conditions of religious adequacy God would not have permitted the on a concept of God. Holocaust or the death of innocent children from painful diseases. It’s natural to think that these condi- Once the appeal is made to the gap tions are met by a God defined by between God’s knowledge and ours, the properties of traditional natural we cannot move from what we think theology: omnipotence, omni- God would do to what he does do. science, and omnibenevolence. But Lord Answering Job Out of the Whirlwind, this is not so. First of all, the omni- by William Blake As responses to the problem of evil
6 often point out, an all-benevolent be- mize the evil done to us, but we have unavoidable step in the soul-making of ing, even with maximal power, may no way of knowing how great that a super-race whose eventual achieve- have to allow considerable local evils minimum might be. Some have sug- ments make our ultimate loss of salva- for the sake of the overall good of the gested that when God allows suffering tion acceptable to God. universe. We have no way of know- it must ultimately be for the benefit of ing whether we humans might be the the sufferer. But what basis do we have My conclusion is that, given standard victims of this necessity. For example, for thinking that this is the way God, in ways of responding to the problem of we do not know whether there is or his omniscience, sees it? The free-will evil, even knowing that there is an all- will be some other, far more advanced, defense, for example, emphasizes that good and all-powerful God does not species for whose sake God will allow the freedom of moral agents may be an guarantee our hope that (assuming we us to be annihilated or suffer endlessly. immense good, worth God’s tolerating act appropriately for salvation) we will horrendous wrong-doing. We have no be saved. It’s true that an all-good God would, of way of knowing whether destroying course, do everything possible to mini- our happiness might turn out to be an
A Sublime Year at the Center continued from page 5 sublime is determinate enough to con- content of some sort, then the episode ments and contemporary accounts of duct such an investigation (Mike Rea clearly counts as an experience of the hope as well. The act or attitude of consistently emphasized the concept’s religious sublime. A trickier question is hope, it turns out, is both subtle and fuzziness or gerrymandered quality in whether this is a necessary condition: interesting, even though it has been our discussions). We ended up claim- are there episodes that do not result in vastly understudied by contemporary ing that there is at least a technical con- explicitly religious epiphanies but still philosophers (in comparison, say, to cept of the sublime bequeathed to us count as an experience of the religious attitudes like belief and faith). by 18th-century European aestheticians sublime? that does have sufficiently determi- What May I Hope? is still a work-in- nate boundaries. Our task, then, was After presenting that paper to the progress, but the research fellowship to analyze that technical concept and Center colloquium and receiving very was crucial not only because it offered discuss how it relates to various com- helpful feedback, I turned to the main leisure for reading and reflection, but monsense and philosophical concepts project for the year: a short book on also because it allowed me to discuss of religion and religious experience. Kantian theories of hope. The book early ideas with philosophers and With respect to analysis, we found it – titled simply What May I Hope?— theologians at the Center and across easier to discuss the sublime in terms has been commissioned as part of a the university. I now have numerous of the experiences one has of it. Para- five-part series called “Kant’s Five files on my hard drive with names like digmatic cases of such experiences, Questions,” edited by Allen Wood “Conversation with Sean Kelsey” and we argued, comprise three distinct (other books in the series are What Can “Reflections on Draper’s and Flint’s phenomenological moments: sensory I Know?, What Should I Do?, What is the comments at the Workshop” that con- overwhelmedness, transcendence of the Human Person?, and What is Enlighten- tinue to shape my thinking as I bring conceptual, and ultimately an epiphany ment?). The book is not meant to be the book to completion. It was a very of a certain sort (temporally these merely historical: I start by laying out rich year indeed, and I am grateful moments can overlap, or be separated Kant’s unique conception of religious, to the Center, its directors and other by a space of years). If the ultimate social, and political hope, but then go members, and to the University of epiphany involves affirmative religious on to consider post-Kantian develop- Notre Dame for the opportunity.
7 Feature Article Year In Review continued from page 3
Analytic Theology Project Problem of Evil in Modern and Contemporary Thought Project www.analytictheology.org www.evilandtheodicy.com
The Analytic Theology Project has This marks the second full year of the workshop on skeptical theism for the made some significant strides over the Problem of Evil in Modern and Con- spring. past year. In June, we held the third temporary Thought research initiative annual Logos Workshop in Philosophi- here at the Center. Last year, most of The third component, focusing on cal Theology, whose focal theme was the project activities focused on the pain and the nature of minds, also th th “Divine Revelation: Meaning, Author- 17 century as we celebrated the 300 launched this year. In January, David ity, and Canon.” During the summer, anniversary of Leibniz’s landmark Bain and Michael Brady inaugurated we also held our first “Course Awards” Theodicy. As work continues on the a large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary competition, which provides funding early modern period, the second and project at the University of Glasgow to theology faculty for the develop- third contemporary components of that explores the phenomenal char- ment of courses in Analytic Theology. the project also got underway this acter and motivational force of pain. Then, in November, Eleonore Stump, year. The project also funded John Schnei- the Richard J. Henle Professor of der (Calvin College) to write a Philosophy at St. Louis University, monograph developing a novel, gave the First Annual Analytic The- “aesthetic” approach to the prob- ology Lecture at the Annual Meet- lem of animal suffering. Beth Sea- ing of the American Academy of cord, a graduate student from the Religion. Her lecture was entitled University of Colorado-Boulder is “Philosophical Reflections on the in residence this year to work on Atonement.” Finally, we have also her dissertation on the problem of begun planning for the launch of animal pain. a new online, open access journal: The Journal of Analytic Theology, to Work on the early modern com- be edited jointly by Oliver Crisp, ponent of the program continued Michael Rea, Kevin Diller, and Chris Tucker and Christina Brinks discuss her this year as well. Marcy Lascano Trent Dougherty. We hope to begin defense of historical biblical criticism. from CSU-Long Beach has been in taking submissions in Fall 2012. residence writing about responses The second component focuses on to the problem of evil from women For next year, we have also advertised “skeptical theism,” a recent response philosophers in the 17th century. We funding for two research fellowships in to the problem of evil that empha- have also had two visiting graduate Analytic Theology for the 2012 – 2013 sizes human cognitive limitations to students in residence as early modern academic year, and for “Cluster Group” argue that we have no reason to think dissertation fellows: Colin Chamber- grants, which provide funding for that we could discern divine pur- lain (Harvard University) and Eric materials, stipends, and guest speakers poses in allowing horrendous evils Stencil (University of Wisconsin- to interdisciplinary teams who wish if there were any, and so we have no Madison). Each week, they were to form reading groups in Analytic warrant for believing that such evils joined by Center fellow Liz Goodnick Theology. The Logos Workshop will be do not serve a divine purpose. Paul and local Notre Dame faculty and held May 3 – 5, and the theme for the Draper (Purdue University), Trent graduate students for discussion of conference will be “Minds, Bodies, and Dougherty (Baylor University) and works in progress. They also hosted the Divine”. Finally, the 2012 Analytic David Anderson (a recent graduate of several outside visitors during the Theology Lecturer at AAR will be Alan Purdue University) are in residence term. Planning for the concluding Torrance, Professor of Systematic Theol- this year to critically examine this Leibniz conference in Lisbon, Portu- ogy at the University of St. Andrews. response. They have also organized a gal (October 2012) also continues. 8 2011 – 2012 Center Fellows
Robert C. Roberts Alvin Plantinga Fellow Robert C. Roberts is visiting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he is Distinguished Professor of Eth- ics in the philosophy department. His project for this year is a study of the moral properties of emotions and the way such properties bear on such virtues as compassion, sense of humor, generosity and gratitude, justice, and the sense of duty. This work will be published in two volumes, Emotions and Values and Virtues, which constitute the sequel to Emotions: An Essay in Aid of Moral Psychology (2003). Roberts thinks that moral philosophers should teach and write in such a way as to contribute to their own and other people’s wisdom. In his spare time he likes to root around in languages like Spanish and Dutch.
Anastasia Scrutton Frederick J. Crosson Fellow Anastasia (Tasia) Scrutton is visiting from Durham in the UK, where she works for the Open University. Her current research is on the diverse interpretations religious and spiritual people give to mental illness – from the idea that mental illness is a sign of demonic possession or a punishment for sin to the idea that mental illness is a symptom of unfulfillment or trauma that can nevertheless ultimately be transformative or salvific. Her hob- bies include walking, cooking, painting, and having existential crises of diminishing profundity.
Liz Goodnick Research Fellow Liz Goodnick received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 2010. Her research focuses primarily on the philosophy of religion, specifically on the epistemic consequences of naturalistic explanations for the belief in God (e.g., evolutionary explanations and those from the cognitive science of religion). She is interested in this question both as it is discussed in the early modern period (especially Hume), as well as by our contemporaries (especially Plantinga). She also enjoys vegetarian cooking with her husband, Alex, and training her dog, Banjo, in agility.
Tyron Goldschmidt Research Fellow Tyron Goldschmidt recently completed a Ph.D. in Philosophy at King’s College London, with a dissertation on why there is something rather than nothing. Originally from South Africa, he also studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cambridge, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His main interests are in metaphysics, philosophy of religion and philosophy of mind, and his current research is in philosophy of religion and the history of philosophy. Tyron and his wife Yael recently had a baby daughter, Hannah.
9 Center Fellows
Paul Draper Skeptical Theism Research Fellow Paul Draper is visiting this year from Purdue University, where he is a Professor of Philosophy and editor of the journal, Philo. His goal this year is to complete seven papers, four of which are on the problem of evil, in- cluding two on skeptical theism. Paul lacks any ability to appreciate jazz, plays chess very badly, and does not like to travel.
Trent Dougherty Skeptical Theism Research Fellow Trent Dougherty (Ph.D., Rochester) is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University. His areas of spe- cialization are Epistemology, Philosophy of Language, and Philosophy of Religion. When not writing he likes to spend time outdoors with his wife, Sarah, and four kids: Sam (2), “Jeep” (5), Annabelle (10), and Fiona (13). The household also contains Caesar, Bagheera, Ka, and Una: a lab, cat, python, and cockatiel, respectively.
David J. Anderson Skeptical Theism Research Fellow David J. Anderson graduated in August 2011 with a Ph.D. from Purdue University. His dissertation work, under the direction of Michael Bergmann, focuses on issues in contemporary epistemology but his interest in the problem of evil began with his undergraduate thesis at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. He has published and presented work in both areas. Anderson was born and raised in the Yukon Territory of northern Canada where he developed a love of the outdoors and met his wife Gina.
Beth Seacord Pain-Mind Dissertation Fellow Beth Seacord is a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado. Her research interests are in philosophy of science and philosophy of religion. She is currently writing her dissertation titled, “Unto the Least of These: Animal Pain and the Problem of Evil,” under the direction of Wes Morriston. She is a graduate of the Univer- sity of Southern California (B.A.) and Biola University (M.A.). Beth is originally from Glendale, California and enjoys surfing, bird watching and vegan cooking. She currently resides with her husband, Matt and her two cats: Scout and Spike.
Marcy Lascano Early Modern Research Fellow Marcy Lascano is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California State University Long Beach. Her research focuses on 17th and 18th century philosophical theology and metaphysics. Her research at the Center is inves- tigating the views of three women philosophers on the nature of God and the problem of evil: Anne Conway, Damaris Masham, and Emilie du Châtelet. She is particularly interested in the unique ways in which these women philosophers conceived of God and his relation to the world. Marcy is a native of California. She went to UMass Amherst for her Ph.D. and while there married Jason, another UMass philosophy graduate. They both live and teach in Long Beach. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, running, and traveling.
10 Colin Chamberlain Early Modern Dissertation Fellow Colin Chamberlain is visiting this year from Harvard University, where he is currently working toward his Ph.D. in philosophy. His main interests are in Early Modern, and his dissertation is about the mind-body union and the passions in Descartes and Malebranche. More generally, he is interested in the way these Cartesians believe that our bodies shape our mental lives. As a side project, he is trying to show that Malebranche’s oc- casionalism is consistent with free human action.
Eric Stencil Early Modern Dissertation Fellow Eric Stencil is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he is currently finishing his dissertation: Cartesian Modality: Possibility and Essence in Descartes and Arnauld. This project focuses on the Car- tesian theory of modality in René Descartes and Antoine Arnauld. While at the Center, in addition to finishing his dissertation, he is also working on a related set of issues from the debate between Arnauld and Nicolas Malebranche concerning their respective conceptions of God’s nature and modus operandi.
Chen Jiangjin Templeton Research Fellow Chen Jiangjin is visiting the Center from Wuhan University in Wuhan, China, where he teaches moral philoso- phy and political philosophy. His current work focuses on Henry Sidgwick’s moral philosophy, especially to better understand the nature of the dualism of practical reason and Sidgwick’s religious thought. His wife Guo Yan, a doctoral candidate at Wuhan University, is an environmentalist, focusing on environmental justice and the protection of Chinese rural areas. They have a lovely daughter, Julia, who is now almost six years old and attends an elementary school in South Bend.
Manxin Liu Templeton Visiting Graduate Student Manxin Liu, who goes by ‘Sun’, is a visiting graduate student from Sun Yet-sen University in Guangzhou, China. He is working in the areas of philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology, especially perception. While at the Center this year, Sun is working on a paper on perceptual knowledge, and also ap- plying to Ph.D. programs in the United States. Besides philosophy, Sun likes playing soccer, and making jokes that are difficult to get.
Liang Chen Templeton Visiting Graduate Student Liang Chen is a visiting graduate student from Renmin University of China, Beijing, where he is finishing his master’s degree. His main philosophical interest lies in metaphysics, and he is currently working on Wilfrid Sellars’ nominalism. He loves art, poetry and music — Bach and Goethe in particular are his heroes. In his spare time he is a concertgoer and plays the classical guitar.
11 Interview with Chen Jiangjin
CPR What prompted you to spend a year with the center for philosophy of religion? CPR Have you found the philosophical climate to CJ The CPR has a good be different here at Notre international reputation Dame, compared to Wuhan for philosophical research, University? as there are lots of famous professors and active CJ Yes, it is a little different. CPR In what areas of philosophy young scholars here. In my opinion, most do you focus? What about Throughout my research, Chinese scholars, such as these topics interests you? I have encountered many the philosophers at Wuhan problems about God and University, are focused on CJ I focus on moral and political soul, and many philosophers the history of philosophy, philosophy, and the main presuppose the existence not the main topics in question that interests me of God or the immortality philosophy, though the is “Why be moral?” I want of soul for justifying the situation is now changing to find a strong argument rationality of morality. So gradually. On the other to justify that, even if I will I’m interested in efforts to hand, I hope that there be suffering injustice, pain prove the existence of God will be more and more and loss, I also should be and soul, how to understand American philosophers that a moral and just person, the relationship between are interested in Chinese even if these people around God and the rebirth of soul, philosophy. me can get big benefits the continuity of this life and by acting unjustly. I think the afterlife, and I think the this question is the core of CPR could help. moral philosophy, and the CPR Have you enjoyed your time pursuit of its answer is very in the center, particularly the important for the whole Friday discussion group? world, especially for Chinese CPR What do you hope to come CJ Yes! The Friday discussion people today. out of this year, or what projects do you anticipate group is so amazing, many working in the next few papers are new for me. years? I have needed to collect CPR What philosophers guide some materials about the your research projects? CJ I hope to complete two background of the papers, papers. The first is about, read and think of the main CJ The philosophers I like how to understand the ideas and arguments in each most are Plato, Kant and nature of Sidgwick’s paper, so the discussion Sidgwick, as they represent dualism of practical reason, group provides me a good three different moral while the second is about learning platform and philosophy traditions and reconsidering his religious opens some new research provide excellent answers sanction. I’d like to compare fields. I always organize the to the question mentioned the main opinions in Western discussion group at Wuhan above. As for me, the philosophy of the question University, so I regard the argument Plato made in “Why be moral” with how Friday discussion group as a Republic is more attractive, great Chinese thinkers think good model and I can learn although there remain some about it. much from it. holes in his argument.
12 Former Center Director in Headlines Matt Getz
ost readers of ogy and certain theories of historical science and naturalism. Enter the this newsletter biblical criticism as genuine conflicts. well-known Evolutionary Argument will no doubt However, the Christian need not be Against Naturalism. be aware that alarmed: these conflicts are only super- the second ficial — that is, they do not typically Now, most readers of this newsletter and longest- provide defeaters for Christian belief. will no doubt find these Plantingian acting director for the Center was Alvin arguments interesting and important, Plantinga, whose career was celebrated But Plantinga isn’t satisfied with these even if familiar and controversial. inM the summer of 2010 and documented mere defensive maneuvers. Indeed, he What is noteworthy is how Where the in this newsletter’s Spring 2011 edition. argues that religion and science are not Conflict Really Lies has created waves Many readers of this newsletter are no only compatible, but in fact profound outside of academia. In its December doubt familiar with his work, perhaps companions. Here he adverts to fine- 2011 issue, the magazine Christianity including his article recounting the tuning arguments that support a theis- Today published an interview with history of the Center in the Spring 2010 tic cosmology, and to the oft-repeated Plantinga, where he offered a sort of newsletter. His latest work — Where the historical point that science began in précis of Where the Conflict Really Lies. Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, and Naturalism — represents something of a However, the Plantingian ripples culmination of Plantinga’s most recent haven’t been limited to the ponds of focus, that of the relationship between Christian magazines. Even in the ocean science and religion. of leading secular journalism Plantinga has found an audience. First, Jennifer In the preface to Where the Conflict Re- Schuessler of The New York Times wrote ally Lies, Plantinga writes that his over- a column for the December 14, 2011 all claim is that “there is superficial issue. There she documented some of conflict but deep concord between sci- Plantinga’s personal faith history and ence and theistic religion, but superfi- impact in philosophical academia, in cial concord and deep conflict between addition to discussing some of the science and naturalism.” For example, claims of the book. She also recounts evolutionary theory is often thought Plantinga’s recent debate with Daniel to be at odds with Christian doctrine the bosom of Christianity. So, con- Dennett, along with Plantinga’s reaction by both religious and secular think- cludes Plantinga, science and religion to that debate. Second, NPR’s Weekend ers. But, says Plantinga, God certainly are not the enemies they are typically Edition aired an interview on January could have made the biological world portrayed to be. Rather, religion only 29, 2012, in which Plantinga briefly dis- by means of natural selection operat- conflicts with science when science is cusses the book, along with the rational- ing on genetic variation. He likewise understood as naturalism. ity of faith and the limits of science. disposes of the alleged problem of di- vine intervention in a world governed The mistake many people make today While it is hard to quantify the effect of by scientific laws as another case of is in supposing that science somehow such press, it is clear that the relation- merely apparent conflict. supports the “quasi-religious” view ship between science and religion is of of naturalism. That is to say, Plantinga considerable interest for many. Once However, not all conflicts between isn’t satisfied even with these addi- again, Plantinga has shown his char- science and specifically Christian belief tional defensive maneuvers. Indeed acteristic keen eye for issues of signifi- are merely apparent. For instance, he goes on the attack, arguing that the cance, this time reaching well beyond Plantinga deems some of the recent deepest and most serious (and perhaps the ivory tower. developments of evolutionary psychol- most surprising) conflict is between
13 Books Recent Work by Past Fellows and Friends of the CPR Rationality and Religious Commitment Robert Audi (Oxford U.P.) viewed as a kind of life, not just as an Rationality and Religious Commitment embrace of tenets. Faith is conceived shows how religious commitment can as a unique attitude. It is irreducible be rational and describes the place to belief but closely connected with of faith in the postmodern world. It both belief and conduct, and intimately portrays religious commitment as far related to life’s moral, political, and more than accepting doctrines — it is aesthetic dimensions.
God and Moral Law: On the Theistic Explanation of Morality
Mark C. Murphy (Oxford U.P.) moral norms given the existence of Does God’s existence make a differ- the God of orthodox theism? Mark C. ence to how we explain morality? The Murphy asks whether the conception characteristic methodology of theistic of God in orthodox theism as an abso- ethics is to proceed by asking whether lutely perfect being militates in favor there are features of moral norms that of a particular view of the explanation can be adequately explained only if we of morality by appeal to theistic facts. hold that such norms have some sort He puts this methodology to work and of theistic foundation. But this method- shows that, surprisingly, natural law ology, fruitful as it has been, is one- theory and divine command theory sided. God and Moral Law proceeds not fail to offer the sort of explanation of from the side of the moral norms, so to morality that we would expect given speak, but from the God side of things: the existence of the God of orthodox what sort of explanatory relationship theism. should we expect between God and
Reason, Metaphysics, and Mind: New Essays on the Philosophy of Alvin Plantinga
Kelly James Clark and Michael C. Rea, development of philosophy of religion eds. (Oxford U.P.) and philosophical theology. Each of In May 2010, philosophers, family and the essays in this volume engages with friends gathered at the University of some particular aspect of Plantinga’s Notre Dame to celebrate the career and views on metaphysics, epistemology, retirement of Alvin Plantinga, widely or philosophy of religion. Contribu- recognized as one of the world’s lead- tors include Michael Bergman, Ernest ing figures in metaphysics, epistemol- Sosa, Trenton Merricks, Richard Otte, ogy, and the philosophy of religion. Peter van Inwagen, Thomas P. Flint, Plantinga has earned particular respect Eleonore Stump, Dean Zimmerman within the community of Christian and Nicholas Wolterstorff, in addition philosophers for the pivotal role that to invited responses to each essay. he played in the recent renewal and
14 Science and Religion in Dialogue
Melville Y. Stewart, ed. (Blackwell) pothesis are addressed. The implica- This wide-ranging two-volume collec- tions of religious beliefs on hot-button tion represents the most cutting-edge scientific issues such as stem cell re- thinking on topics at the convergence search, bioethics, and neuroscience, are of faith and science. Consisting of also explored, along with topics that 70 articles by eminent scientists and delve into the deeper realm of physics philosophers from the world’s most such as general and special theories prestigious colleges and universities, of relativity, dark energy, dark matter, issues such as Big Bang cosmology, the Multiverse Hypothesis, and Super evolution, intelligent design, dinosaurs String Theory. and creation, and the God-Gene Hy- Inquiring About God
Nicolas Wolterstorff; Terence Cuneo, ed. tion of God, and the problem of evil, are (Cambridge U.P.) unified by the conviction that some of Inquiring about God is the first of two the central claims made by the classical volumes of Nicholas Wolterstorff’s col- theistic tradition, such as the claims that lected papers. This volume collects Wolt- God is timeless, simple, and impassible, erstorff’s essays on the philosophy of should be rejected. Still, Wolterstorff religion written over the last thirty-five contends, rejecting the classical concep- years. The essays, which span a range of tion of God does not imply that theists topics including Kant’s philosophy of re- should accept the Kantian view accord- ligion, the medieval (or classical) concep- ing to which God cannot be known.
Metaphysics and God: Essays in Honor of Eleonore Stump
Kevin Timpe, ed. (Routledge) human agency (e.g., the nature of the Metaphysics and God focuses on con- human soul and hell). Contributors in- temporary issues in the philosophy clude Peter van Inwagen, Brian Leftow, of religion through an engagement Thomas D. Senor, William E. Mann, with Eleonore Stump’s seminal work Michael C. Rea, Thomas P. Flint, Jona- in the field. Topics covered include: than L. Kvanvig, John Martin Fischer, the metaphysics of the divine nature John E. Hare, Lynne Rudder Baker, (e.g., divine simplicity and eternity); Timothy O’Connor, Jason T. Eberl, C. P. the nature of love and God’s relation Ragland, and Christopher Brown. to human happiness; and the issue of
Evidence and Religious Belief
Kelly James Clark and Raymond J. which claims that proper religious VanArragon, eds. (Oxford U.P.) belief requires evidence; and Reformed A fundamental question in philosophy epistemology, which claims that it does of religion is whether religious belief not. Evidence and Religious Belief con- must be based on evidence in order tains eleven chapters (in three parts) by to be properly held. In recent years prominent philosophers which push two prominent positions on this issue the discussion in new directions. have been staked out: evidentialism, * The book images and descriptions are courtesy of the respective publisher’s website. Please visit them for more information.
15 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Notre Dame, IN Permit No. 10
418 Malloy Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556
Upcoming Events in the Center
• March 1: Food for Thought • October 24-27: “Leibniz’s Dinner and Panel Discussion Theodicy: Reception and Rel- C. S. Lewis Essay Prize on Divine Hiddenness evance”
Problem of Evil Conference The Lewis Essay Prize has been established • March 30-31: Skeptical The- in Lisbon, Portugal to provide up to ten awards of $3,000
ism and Explanatory Argu- evilandtheodicy.com each for essays published in popular venues that present the state of the art or ments from Evil Conference make new progress on the topics funded • Logos 2013: “Theorizing through the Problem of Evil in Modern about God — Realism in and Contemporary Thought project • April 13-14: Conference on during the 2010-2013 academic years. See Animal Pain and the Problem Theology” www.evilandtheodicy.com for more of Evil www.analytictheology.org information.
• May 3-5: Logos 2012 “Minds, Bodies, and the Divine”