God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism
Drawing on Wittgenstein’s <i>On Certainty</i>, Duncan Pritchard argues for a position he calls quasi-fideism. Quasi-Fideism is the view that hinge commitments such as “God exists” are exempt from rational scrutiny within the language game of religion. However, other religious beliefs, wh...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Zoheir Bagheri Noaparast |
| author_facet | Zoheir Bagheri Noaparast |
| author_sort | Zoheir Bagheri Noaparast |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Drawing on Wittgenstein’s <i>On Certainty</i>, Duncan Pritchard argues for a position he calls quasi-fideism. Quasi-Fideism is the view that hinge commitments such as “God exists” are exempt from rational scrutiny within the language game of religion. However, other religious beliefs, which are not part of the framework of hinge commitments, can be rationally assessed and evaluated. This view is to be contrasted with pure fideism, in which all aspects of religion are exempt from rational scrutiny. The success of quasi-fideism depends on demonstrating that “God exists” is, indeed, a hinge commitment. In this paper, I will review and criticize some of Pritchard’s reasons for arguing that God’s existence should be considered a hinge commitment. Additionally, I will offer reasons why “God exists” cannot be a hinge commitment. Considering the rational problem of evil, single and multiple divine attributes, and the emotional problem of evil, I will show that the non-circular rational criticism of God’s existence is possible. Following the distinction between subjective and objective certainty in Wittgenstein’s <i>On Certainty</i>, I will suggest that a more fruitful line of inquiry for Wittgensteinians is to examine God as a subjective certainty. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-32c3bbfca4b94408a69f17db1a2cc0d8 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-32c3bbfca4b94408a69f17db1a2cc0d82025-08-20T03:12:04ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-02-0116218610.3390/rel16020186God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-FideismZoheir Bagheri Noaparast0Department of Education Policy Studies, Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7600, South AfricaDrawing on Wittgenstein’s <i>On Certainty</i>, Duncan Pritchard argues for a position he calls quasi-fideism. Quasi-Fideism is the view that hinge commitments such as “God exists” are exempt from rational scrutiny within the language game of religion. However, other religious beliefs, which are not part of the framework of hinge commitments, can be rationally assessed and evaluated. This view is to be contrasted with pure fideism, in which all aspects of religion are exempt from rational scrutiny. The success of quasi-fideism depends on demonstrating that “God exists” is, indeed, a hinge commitment. In this paper, I will review and criticize some of Pritchard’s reasons for arguing that God’s existence should be considered a hinge commitment. Additionally, I will offer reasons why “God exists” cannot be a hinge commitment. Considering the rational problem of evil, single and multiple divine attributes, and the emotional problem of evil, I will show that the non-circular rational criticism of God’s existence is possible. Following the distinction between subjective and objective certainty in Wittgenstein’s <i>On Certainty</i>, I will suggest that a more fruitful line of inquiry for Wittgensteinians is to examine God as a subjective certainty.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/186quasi-fideismhinge commitmentreligious beliefthe problem of evilthe emotional problem of evil |
| spellingShingle | Zoheir Bagheri Noaparast God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism Religions quasi-fideism hinge commitment religious belief the problem of evil the emotional problem of evil |
| title | God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism |
| title_full | God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism |
| title_fullStr | God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism |
| title_full_unstemmed | God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism |
| title_short | God Unhinged? A Critique of Quasi-Fideism |
| title_sort | god unhinged a critique of quasi fideism |
| topic | quasi-fideism hinge commitment religious belief the problem of evil the emotional problem of evil |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/186 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zoheirbagherinoaparast godunhingedacritiqueofquasifideism |