Unbelievable? Classic: Peter Kreeft's argument from desire

Key takeaways

The argument from desire suggests that the universal human yearning for something greater implies the existence of God.
Natural desires typically correspond to real external objects, leading Kreeft to argue that the desire for God should be seen similarly.
Norman challenges this assertion by claiming such desires do not necessarily prove God's existence and can be viewed through a naturalistic lens.
The dialogue highlights a philosophical distinction between desires that inherently point to a reality versus mere wish-fulfillment.
Both speakers emphasize differing approaches to existential questions, with Kreeft seeking ultimate meaning through God, while Norman critiques the need for a divine explanation.

Summary

Introduction to the Argument from Desire

Ruth Jackson opens the episode introducing renowned philosopher Peter Kreeft and atheist Richard Norman, who engage in a dialogue about the 'argument from desire.' This philosophical discussion examines whether the innate human desire for something beyond tangible experience suggests the existence of God, with Kreeft suggesting it does, while Norman argues it implies wish-fulfillment.

Kreeft's Conceptual Framework

Peter Kreeft articulates his perspective that everyone's experience includes a desire for something that seems unfulfilled by the material world. He indicates that this desire could be interpreted as a longing for God. Kreeft also distinguishes between natural desires, which correlate with actual objects of satisfaction, and artificial desires, which do not. He asserts that if all natural desires align with real objects, it is logical to propose that our desire for the transcendent also points to a reality, namely God.

Norman's Critique and Perspective

Richard Norman counters Kreeft's argument by arguing that although humans indeed have desires for things like beauty and justice, this does not necessitate the existence of a deity. He views Kreeft's assertions as simplistic wish-fulfillment, criticizing the notion that these desires point to anything beyond human experience.

Philosophical Exploration of Desire

The dialogue evolves into a deeper philosophical examination of desire itself. The pair explores the distinction between what humans hope for and the actual 'objects' of these desires. Norman articulates that while desires for perfection and transcendence exist, they can be sufficiently explained through naturalistic approaches. Kreeft, however, maintains that a yearning for perfection implies an ultimate source or existence beyond the material world.

Conclusion: Meaning, Belief, and the Existence of God

The conversation culminates in discussing whether each speaker would prefer to be proven wrong in their beliefs. Kreeft expresses that he hopes that the desires we experience lead to an ultimate truth, while Norman articulates a comfort in navigating a universe without prescriptive meaning. The episode concludes on an open note about existence, belief, and the nuances of philosophical inquiry into life's meaning.

Show notes

CS Lewis said "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."
Peter Kreeft is a philosophy professor and well known Christian thinker and writer. He defends the "argument from desire". Does our experience of transcendent longing indicate that there is a God to satisfy it?
Atheist philosopher Richard Norman says that the argument amounts to wish-fulfillment.
They both sat down to discuss this issue, first broadcast in 2013.

Originally aired: 2013

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