The Moral Argument

William Lane Craig

The argument is valid.

Every inference was checked by machine. The objection is answered.

Open in the playground

flowchart TD
    classDef axiom fill:#f6efd9,stroke:#a8842a,color:#23212b;
    classDef premise fill:#e7edf7,stroke:#1f4e9c,color:#23212b;
    classDef deduction fill:#f3f4f1,stroke:#5b6b85,color:#23212b;
    classDef conclusion fill:#d6e1f3,stroke:#1f4e9c,stroke-width:3px,color:#23212b;
    classDef objection fill:#f7e3e1,stroke:#b3261e,color:#23212b;
    classDef reply fill:#f3f4f1,stroke:#7a5c2e,color:#23212b;
    classDef imported stroke-dasharray:4 3;
    classDef defeated fill:#f3f4f1,stroke:#b3261e,stroke-dasharray:6 3,color:#8a8796;
    classDef undecided stroke-dasharray:2 2;
    classDef overruled fill:#f3f4f1,stroke:#c9ccc6,color:#8a8796;
    Craig(["Craig: William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith,<br/>3rd ed., the moral argument"]):::axiom
    Ethics(["Ethics: Some moral truths, such as that<br/>torturing children for fun is wrong, are<br/>binding whatever anyone believes."]):::axiom
    P1["<b>P1</b>: If God does not exist, objective moral<br/>values and duties do not exist.<br/><i>¬God → ¬ObjectiveMorality</i>"]:::premise
    P2["<b>P2</b>: Objective moral values and duties do<br/>exist.<br/><i>ObjectiveMorality</i>"]:::premise
    C1["<b>C1</b>: Therefore God exists.<br/><i>God</i>"]:::conclusion
    O1{{"<b>O1</b>: Moral facts could be necessary truths<br/>needing no ground beyond themselves, as<br/>non-theistic moral realists hold."}}:::objection
    R1{{"<b>R1</b>: Brute moral facts leave duties without<br/>anyone to whom they are owed, and<br/>explain neither their authority nor our<br/>knowledge of them."}}:::reply
    class O1 overruled
    Craig -.-> P1
    Ethics -.-> P2
    P1 --> C1
    P2 --> C1
    O1 -. objects .-> P1
    R1 -. replies .-> O1

Sources

Craig

William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith, 3rd ed., the moral argument

Ethics

Some moral truths, such as that torturing children for fun is wrong, are binding whatever anyone believes.

The argument

Objections and replies