The axiological solution to divine hiddenness

Abstract

Philosophers have recently wondered whether the value impact of the existence of God on the world would be positive, negative, or neutral.Thus far discussions have distinguished between the value God's impact would have overall, in certain respects, and/or for particular individuals. A commonality amongst the various positions that have been taken up is to focus on the goods and drawbacks associated with both theism and atheism. Goods associated with atheism include things like privacy, independence, and autonomy. I argue that it is better overall and for everyone to prefer a hidden God to no God. This is because it is possible to experience many of the goods attributed to atheism if God is hidden even if they do not really obtain, while also gaining many of the additional goods connected to theism. This amounts to a new solution to the problem of divine hiddenness: God might hide in order to increase or maximize the axiological value of the world. K E Y W O R D S axiology of theism, divine hiddenness, pro-theism

On How (Not) to Argue for Preferring God’s Non-Existence

“…24 25 Thanks to an anonymous referee for bringing this objection to my attention. 26 For more on the difference between the obtaining of a good versus the experience of good, see Lougheed (2018). 27 An anonymous referee pointed out that Tibetan Buddhism and some versions of Hinduism have terrifying doctrines of hell (e.g., Yama, God of hell).…”

“…I argue that (ii) probably has the highest value of the three worlds since it is the only one where one set of goods (theistic goods) obtain and the experience of another set obtains (atheistic goods). See Lougheed (2018). 55 Penner and Lougheed (2015) argue that morally good agents add value to states of affairs, and that God is the penultimate example of such an agent.…”

“… 26 For more on the difference between the obtaining of a good versus the experience of good, see Lougheed (2018). …”

“…I argue that (ii) probably has the highest value of the three worlds since it is the only one where one set of goods (theistic goods) obtain and the experience of another set obtains (atheistic goods). See Lougheed (2018).…”

The Axiology of Theism

“…For a related discussion, seeDavis (2014).121 See, for example,Murray (2002).122 See, for example,Swinburne (1998Swinburne ( , 2004.123 See, for example,Howard-Snyder (1996).124 See, for example,McKim (2001). And for further discussion of the relationship between the literature on "divine hiddenness" and the axiology of theism, seeDumsday (2016);Lougheed (2018aLougheed ( , 2018b; and Hendricks and Lougheed (2019).…”