Why Christian Salvation Makes Sense | #25 Dr. William Lane Craig Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-23 | William Lane Craig - Christian philosopher, theologian, and apologist - joins me to discuss the Christian doctrine of salvation. I, per usual, throw all my questions at him along the way. Why did God create the world? Could God have saved the world without requiring Jesus to die on the cross? Can a Mormon be saved? Why does salvation require propositional belief? Dr. Craig addresses all these questions and more.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueDr. Craig's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@UCWyWFV9K5Ei0jiTttfnDpXQ "Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge": amazon.com/Luis-Molina-Theology-Founder-Knowledge/dp/031010209X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KX76E7XLA1TP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GsBhYcfdcVmaZimdo2Ba1yROX7Zyk1b6KI_YiJi-vmQ3pNndtkPRqFaWS6FlSh_Zu0R7VL22jV4woR2IM03M7ox4zAYO5kWK0x4h8ZNlgwbdV_q_pW0PcXOGC3ZZMVIFhKJtrvki2H1ikiwRuU5SGsK9dfzjdSOiT8D2UXS0GQzHgwBjqZ3WsB4x0X8j9Vmq_DuNH2BnFCfr1qFhy7uokxbPiNSpZuDKXVpjn_1JWxA.JoZGKdlBBXchKK-TdXnbHQcVy7KLL7OULsDuoeeJCjY&dib_tag=se&keywords=biography+of+luis+de+molina&qid=1742285721&sprefix=biography+of+luis+de+molin%2Caps%2C309&sr=8-1Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD00:00:00 Introduction00:02:49 Could God have saved us without Jesus?00:11:20 Whom does God elect to salvation?00:16:53 Why does God create anything at all?00:18:28 Does creation increase the value of reality?00:23:35 Why did Jesus live a full human life?00:34:48 What beliefs are necessary for salvation?00:39:10 Why does salvation require belief?00:41:26 Can Mormons be saved?00:48:45 What about children who die in infancy?00:54:12 Why do so many Christians live immoral lives?00:57:17 Do we become perfect when we die?
What Christian Apologists Keep Missing | #52 Dr. Randal Rauser Miles K. Donahue 2025-09-30 | Dr. Randal Rauser, himself a Christian apologist, joins me to critically examine some of the mistakes and excesses of Christian apologetics as it is commonly practiced - on YouTube and within broader academic discourse as well.Check out Randal's YouTube channel: @Randal_Rauser To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Twitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:15 What is apologetics?00:05:52 What is a 'tentative' apologist?00:14:25 Mistake #1 - Not giving weight to moral experience.00:36:09 How do we determine what the Bible teaches?00:38:02 Mistake #2 - Thinking every question must be answered.00:45:49 Mistake #3 - Simplifying enormously complicated issues.00:50:50 If saving souls isn't the right motive for apologetics, what is?00:57:03 Mistake #4 - Mixing apologetics with politics.01:01:36 Debating vs. discussing controversial issues.
Its Simple - Stop Eating Meat | #51 Dr. Michael Huemer Miles K. Donahue 2025-09-23 | Dr. Michael Huemer and I discuss factory farming, the strengths and possible drawbacks of a vegan and vegetarian diet, whether animals have rights, if humans are the pinnacle of intrinsic value, and whether already having severe dietary restrictions justifies eating meat (it doesn't).Dr. Huemer's book, "Dialogues on Ethical Vegetarianism": amazon.com/Dialogues-Vegetarianism-Philosophical-Contemporary-Problems/dp/1032291028/ref=sr_1_1?crid=189GGM7BFZV35&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ONAm_JiB0n5NoiogYtUotbukdSXdC67QSSGur0iMhZE._fDZdY9RAypT-HWPZe9g9IMcar6wjLrCi2p7IjVd6SY&dib_tag=se&keywords=dialogues+on+ethical+vegetarianism&qid=1758462804&sprefix=dialogues+on+ethica%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-1To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:33 What goes on in factory farms?00:10:45 Do we have to argue that animals have rights?00:17:26 Do animals have rights?00:25:02 Can we hunt animals?00:27:24 Are all animals sentient?00:29:01 The Shrimp Welfare Project00:36:54 Why does it seem normal to eat meat?00:41:08 Nutritional deficiencies in a vegan diet?00:47:25 Plant farming kills animals too!00:55:06 Are we heading for a vegetarian-only world?01:02:30 The role of ethical intuitions01:09:04 BONUS CONTENT - The inconsistencies of moral anti-realists
God Is Time. Literally | #50 Dr. RT Mullins Miles K. Donahue 2025-09-17 | Dr. RT Mullins discusses his view that God is literally identical to time. We also discuss and critique William Lane Craig's proposal that God is, in a sense, both temporal and timeless.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:12 What's the point of philosophical theology?00:11:00 Mullins' definition of time.00:21:14 An absolutist theory of time.00:23:39 Is this pantheism?00:30:49 The idea that God is time.00:39:35 William Lane Craig's view - God creates time.00:52:50 Is God's timelessness logically prior to His temporality?01:04:48 Does time have a beginning?01:14:07 Do scientists know anything about time?
How to Make a Universe Without God | #49 Dr. Daniel Rubio Miles K. Donahue 2025-09-10 | Dr. Daniel Rubio graciously agreed to come on the channel to discuss and critique a paper I wrote examining four lesser-discussed hypotheses that lie somewhere between theism and atheism: the simulation hypothesis, cosmopsychism, axiarchism, and new laws of nature.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:12:13 Option #1 - We're in a simulation.00:32:26 Option #2 - The universe designed itself.01:05:31 Option #3 - Goodness requires that the universe exist.01:29:01 Option #4 - Laws of nature guide the universe towards life.
Some Contradictions Are True. Deal With It. | #48 Dr. Graham Priest Miles K. Donahue 2025-09-01 | Dr. Graham Priest explains his views on dialetheism, the view that some contradictions are true, while also discussing the relationship between Buddhism and modern science, the cosmological and fine-tuning arguments, and how Christians can avoid refutation by embracing paradox.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:12 What is dialetheism?00:06:09 Paradox #1 - The liar00:14:54 Paradox #2 - The law00:29:37 Paradox #3 - Theology00:38:15 Why Christianity can't possibly be true00:40:46 Does dialetheism support Buddhism?00:49:01 The relationship between Buddhism and modern science00:49:25 Support #1 - The impermanence of all things00:51:54 The cosmological argument for God00:56:26 The fine-tuning argument for God01:55:44 Support #2 - The nature of consciousness
You’re Wrong about the Fine-Tuning Argument - Graham Priest Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-31 | Enjoy this clip of a spirited exchange between Dr. Priest and myself on the fine-tuning argument for theism.Full interview with Dr. Priest: youtube.com/watch?v=J4f3EYaji8g&t=58sTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
The Multiverse Supports Belief in God | #47 Dr. Klaas Kraay Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-26 | Dr. Klaas Kraay explains that the multiverse, rather than serving as an alternative to God, actually supports belief in God by undermining two atheistic arguments: the problem of evil and the problem of no best world.Klaas' paper explaining the theistic multiverse, "Theism, Possible Worlds, and the Multiverse": people.ryerson.ca/kraay/Documents/2010PS.pdfMy paper looking at the relationship between theistic multiverses and modern science, "Does science undermine the theistic multiverse?": philpapers.org/rec/DONTAS-4To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:07 Multiverses in cosmology00:06:36 The problem of no best world00:13:15 The wine analogy00:19:44 Two versions of the problem00:24:20 Theistic multiverse solution00:32:10 Objection - Duplication00:37:27 1st response - Limit the multiverse to kinds00:43:53 2nd response - More is not always better00:49:50 What's more valuable, God or the multiverse?00:58:39 The problem of evil01:18:30 What got Klaas into philosophy?01:20:11 Does philosophy make progress?
There Were Many Christianities in the Ancient World | #46 Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-18 | Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh, professor of New Testament at the University of Miami, explains the gnostic gospels, their significance, and their relationship to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and whether Jesus' earlies disciples would recognize the theology of the earliest Christian creeds.Dr. Walsh's book, "The Origins of Early Christian Literature": amazon.com/Origins-Early-Christian-Literature/dp/1108793134/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TQTKF9UXXLDJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qRfO6h2wKA9VUbVdbOXwuiO7jcQu6fP4wU9MXIh8gthwv8r1pbDNhVXk5W8N2nheos56nDws-Nvz5s1FDfBNPTEed7fcUd8sCZlhIkRe-MGoHJH_W1jwJhZrc6uHYqcAD5HOK6beVAu5vsCaY2jMTyfGbA6AYFOcrkyv4wJitkhnmoZf8tfe3-qRHS_eeKMZ.NJLwteYbD-vPBfWM36_KLaST1RNSYT9wrhmO44wXKCI&dib_tag=se&keywords=robyn+faith+walsh&qid=1755490839&sprefix=robyn+faith+wals%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:06 What is gnosticism?00:10:43 The historical value of the gnostic gospels00:24:12 Are the canonical gospels less legendary than the gnostic ones?00:31:11 The gospels as literature rather than history00:35:58 The Gospel of Thomas00:48:35 Do the gnostic gospels go back to the first century?00:53:28 Does the Apostles' Creed reflect earliest Christianity?01:01:55 Would the apostles recognize modern Christianity?01:07:14 The gospels writers borrowed from Paul01:14:25 Are evangelical NT scholars taken seriously?01:25:56 Confirmation bias in NT scholarship
Worlds Leading Panpsychist Explains the View #philosophy #consciousness #panpsychism Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-11 | It may seem strange to suggest that atoms are conscious, but Dr. Philip Goff explains this minority view concerning the nature of consciousness and the universe. Check out the full interview with Philip linked here.
The Universe Designed Itself - No God Needed | #45 Dr. Philip Goff Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-10 | Philip Goff joins me to discuss panpsychism, cosmopsychism, and how these theories of consciousness have the potential to explain one of the most striking discoveries of modern science: the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life.To purchase Philip's book, "Why?: The Purpose of the Universe": amazon.com/Why-Purpose-Universe-Philip-Goff/dp/0198883765/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S9R2ADJVJJZC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SUKzg-_hEXTQamTOyxGdxDlL-auPkdTh2ZFRiNDAanbXSOLmiZ8CrvQ5G38NsRA41pbmhtYfPia46eKgT2xxpUh5I4o1Dvi60UVIixdOXBB-1UwQSf7sk8LR6rXfqQMQM8v7hV5GoK1_dkM-8UkLO2K6shzSkYfi5bBQq4K06TNoUP5hG02WaSaJca1w-wJByvHsmQ5k9I04YSLa2ivQsqmY-UpNI7NS2mHbuuNxTRo.nGH1o_bRpQOjn5i2bcpDn0EFkukcYltNqGDhuiF_fRE&dib_tag=se&keywords=why+the+purpose+of+the+universe&qid=1754757954&sprefix=why+the+purpose+of+the+univer%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal (paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahue) or Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).Instagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:08 What is panpsychism?'00:13:49 Panpsychism vs. idealism00:16:52 Why we should be panpsychists00:33:38 The combination problem00:39:15 From panpsychism to cosmopsychism00:47:43 The fine-tuning of the universe00:55:31 Cosmopsychism vs. theism01:09:48 What is the purpose of the universe?01:15:43 Debating William Lane Craig
My Experience Debating William Lane Craig - Philip Goff Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-07 | Dr. Philip Goff shares his experience on debating Christian philosopher and theologian William Lane Craig, as well as his reflections on a more liberal understanding of traditional religion.Full interview with Dr. Goff dropping Sunday, 9:30am MST.To donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Contradictions Can Be True - Heres Why | #44 Dr. Jc Beall Miles K. Donahue 2025-08-03 | Dr. Jc Beall, professor of philosophy at Notre Dame, explains "glut theory," the view that some contradictory statements can both be true - or, equivalently, that true theories can be inconsistent.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:03:25 What is dialetheism?00:15:12 Languages vs. meta-languages00:23:47 Examples of true contradictions00:25:02 #1 - The liar paradox00:31:23 #2 - Contradictions in the law00:40:11 #3 - Paradoxes of motion00:45:00 Not every contradiction is true00:52:40 Why should glut theorists care about consistency?01:07:13 My argument against dialetheism01:16:39 Contradictions within Christianity01:23:30 Can both atheism and Christianity be true?01:26:34 Is glut theory itself both true and false?01:32:07 Glut theory and Eastern religions01:39:49 Things logicians wish everyone would know01:42:44 Godel's incompleteness theorems
The Universe Doesnt Care About the Environment | #43 Dr. Neil Manson Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-27 | Neil Manson explains the hidden tension between environmental ethics and findings in cosmology over the last thirty years: if life exists throughout the universe, then we lose one main argument for caring what happens to life here on Earth.Neil Manson's paper, "Anthropocentrism, Exo-Planets, and the Cosmic Perspective": philpapers.org/rec/MANAEA-3To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:45 Cosmological science today00:10:25 Anthropocentrism, defined00:15:16 Two kinds of anthropocentrism: biological and personal00:30:46 Consequentialism00:32:15 The cosmic perspective and non-anthropocentrism00:40:47 Objection: Some infinities are better than other infinities.00:56:59 Why we should reject nonanthropocentrism01:01:48 Should we seek to preserve nature?01:18:25 Towards a stewardship model of environmentalism
Effective Altruism is Just Common Sense | #42 Matthew Adelstein Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-20 | Matthew Adelstein returns to the podcast to discuss effective altruism and its philosophical underpinnings.Matthew's YouTube channel: @deliberationunderidealcond5105 To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:10 What is effective altruism (EA)?00:06:14 Is EA consequentialist?00:15:54 Impartiality and obligations to family first00:20:07 Do future generations matter more than we do?00:30:10 Can we ever know the consequences of our choices?00:42:16 Is EA too broadly defined?00:48:13 Why do (some people) scorn effective altruists?
What Do We Owe the Future? - Matthew Adelstein Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-16 | Matthew Adelstein explains his views on longtermism and why the needs of the (many) future persons outweigh the needs of the (relatively few) current individuals.Full interview with Matthew dropping on Sunday morning, MST.To donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD@deliberationunderidealcond5105
Gods Absence Doesnt Prove Atheism | #41 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-13 | Dr. Max Baker-Hytch of Oxford University discusses Schellenberg's argument for atheism stemming from nonresistant nonbelief, nonbelief in God that results through no fault of one's own.Max's paper, "On sin-based responses to divine hiddenness": cambridge.org/core/journals/religious-studies/article/on-sinbased-responses-to-divine-hiddenness/E4AADE2039D2D6E101BE8375C6498DC0To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction02:04 Do you struggle with divine hiddenness?05:00 Schellenberg's argument14:22 Are there nonresistant nonbelievers?21:05 Would God prevent nonresistant nonbelief?27:43 Step #1 - God would always be open to relationship39:32 Step #2 - Openness entails no nonresistant nonbelief45:28 Relationship without belief.52:25 Alex O'Connor as a nonresistant nonbeliever59:52 Related Problem #1 - Demographics of nonbelief01:09:15 Related Problem #2 - Religious disagreement
Why is God Hidden from Alex OConnor? - Max Baker-Hytch Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-09 | I ask Max about Alex O'Connor's pointed argument from divine hiddenness, and why it is that Alex may have failed to find God, if God really does exist.Full interview with Max dropping on Sunday morning, MST.To donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD@CosmicSkeptic
Philosophys Newest Argument for God, Defended | #40 Dr. Brian Cutter Miles K. Donahue 2025-07-06 | Dr. Brian Cutter outlines the argument from psychophysical harmony for theism and responds to Graham Oppy's recent critique.Crummett and Cutter's article defending the argument from psychophysical harmony: philpapers.org/archive/CUTPHA.pdfTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:22 The argument, summarized.00:06:10 Does evolution explain harmony?00:14:42 Probability of harmony on naturalism00:20:46 Objection #1 - Infinite range of possible laws.00:24:52 Objection #2 - Principle of indifference.00:35:08 Probability of harmony on theism.00:45:08 Replying to Graham Oppy's objections.00:50:39 What if the mind and brain are identical?01:14:36 Other explanations for harmony.01:24:35 The role of historical context.
The Historical Case for Jesus Resurrection | #39 Dr. Mike Licona Miles K. Donahue 2025-06-29 | Dr. Mike Licona, professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University, joins me to discuss the philosophy of history, whether a historian can determine if an event like the resurrection of Jesus happened, and then, if they can, whether the evidence is in fact sufficient to conclude that two-thousand years ago, Jesus rose from the dead.Dr. Licona's book, "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach": amazon.com/Resurrection-Jesus-New-Historiographical-Approach/dp/0830827196/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fka7MH4TO6jPxMyIoKjOHjA0dwAOhQESoGWLypgaaXN901gIcxbAf1sGFUyEvThQjrhdXOS7xlrywR-Zj-ylHpHqKF6dqMiUL2O1zdVL65lvvA6jLb0hDaqmjTnMQVwX7ycxEtNJyOc8fLG6oU3wrO5LeO__HRigqEzy3pqTEepG6XVKKxYMgPI0UIHCHrA2gcTycvNA8t4sAmGer6scgEqsUa0U8qKQPvYPJojIKFkgh1AGr3vuF24GbGwbAmdFTD2JWIv2ID_Df49ydXYrYbOcUFvGtXr82yG_tK9sNEQ.0ENDPakfjXIg_GpW7Qw8hyK49WcB-hHuRsJEwvM5TM4&qid=1751082912&sr=8-2To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:15 Is the resurrection history or theology?00:05:29 Methodological naturalism00:24:46 Shouldn't we always prefer a natural explanation?00:37:05 Bias in conservative New Testament scholarship00:42:57 The historical case for the resurrection.00:47:05 Was Jesus' tomb found empty?00:49:53 What did the early disciples believe?00:56:32 Did Paul teach a "spiritual" resurrection?01:04:55 Alternative #1 - Someone stole the body.01:08:48 Alternative #2 - The disciples hallucinated.01:19:23 Alternatives #3 - Aliens raised Jesus from the dead.
Reincarnation is True | #38 Dr. Michael Huemer Miles K. Donahue 2025-06-22 | Michael Huemer returns to the podcast to discuss his philosophical argument for reincarnation. If time is infinite, then the probability that you have lived multiple times - indeed, an infinite number of times - is 100%. I am not so sure.Huemer's published version of the reincarnation argument: philpapers.org/archive/HUEEIE-2 Huemer's Substack: fakenous.substack.comTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:04:25 The argument.00:06:53 Poincare recurrence theorem.00:17:42 Arguments for an infinite past.00:28:10 Objection: infinite space and cosmic clones.00:46:07 What does it feel like to reincarnate?00:54:31 Should we look forward to our future lives?01:08:19 Philosophical problems with Heaven.
A Vigorous Debate on the Fine-Tuning Argument | #37 Troy Dana @Friction Miles K. Donahue 2025-06-15 | Troy Dana and I debate the fine-tuning argument for theism, as well as Troy's anti-design fine-tuning argument.Troy's YouTube channel: @Friction Troy's written version of his anti-design argument: fric.substack.com/p/cosmological-fine-tuningTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDCHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction.00:57 Overview of the FTA.04:49 Troy's anti-design FTA.13:40 Likelihood of fine-tuning given bare design.25:09 Discovering the digits of pi in the cosmic microwave background.33:11 Double-counting the evidence?40:37 Bayesianism breaks down in cosmic contexts?44:43 Return of awesome theistic evidence.01:00:36 We'll pursue this in writing.01:01:24 Troy's second anti-design argument.01:11:10 Prior probability of theism.
How Nietzsche Disproved Free Will | #36 Keegan Kjeldson. Miles K. Donahue 2025-06-08 | Keegan Kjeldson, YouTuber and musician, joins me to discuss how Nietzsche would have responded to philosopher Michael Huemer's argument for free will.Keegan's awesome YouTube channel: @untimelyreflections To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Is Philosophy a Waste of Time? | #35 Joe Schmid @MajestyofReason Miles K. Donahue 2025-06-01 | Joe and I take a more personal turn in this video, discussing the importance of philosophy, what got us into the discipline, and whether studying Immanuel Kant your whole life is really worth it.Joe's YouTube channel: @MajestyofReason To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:02 What's the value of philosophy?00:03:35 Are some areas of philosophy pointless?00:15:17 Joe Schmid: A Personal History00:25:27 Miles Donahue: A Personal History00:31:25 Why is Joe an agnostic?00:40:34 The FTA Objection 1 - Epistemically illuminated region00:49:34 The FTA Objection 2 - Theism's predictive problem01:03:57 The FTA Objection 3 - The Multiverse01:10:20 Question Lightning Round
The Fine-Tuning Argument is Better Than I Thought - Joe Schmid Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-28 | Joe discusses objections to the FTA he once thought insurmountable but now sees as far less damning.Full interview with Joe dropping by the end of the week!Check out Joe's channel @MajestyofReason.To donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Do the Gnostic Gospels Undermine Christianity? | #34 Dr. Darrell L. Bock Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-25 | Dr. Darrell L. Bock, research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, discusses the gnostic gospels and their relationship to early Christian belief and the historical Jesus.Dr. Bock's book, "The Missing Gospels: Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities": amazon.com/Missing-Gospels-Unearthing-Alternative-Christianities/dp/0785289062/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZcXcd2U6r7GrquawrN22qcm7iv2lhP4O-Sgg4emPngobShqch8wKYlZ9z5neADfx7k_QlhtfgKFSsPEIuknPuRnZANy7hveTrLJCEgh6tu8ay7sqjj2cUCVZFPE3-PrvEo5mGPnAuws4oN-ct25_AEskECnMct49tBEvB1QSTjNx4DfAGyTjhfnpsauqXrjnbp7Yej8IA3cJ2XGZuIcKKsbBr0EA6iGpWEXGTTlGV6g.OhGsR4XrlqS2TvH5LzyfMtlgdpMAqoe1ywQNxQ_283c&qid=1748186650&sr=8-1To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction00:18 What makes the gnostic gospels so interesting?01:41 What is gnosticism?05:15 What did the gnostics think about Jesus?13:04 The Gospel of Thomas17:06 The Gospel of Judas18:31 The Gospel of Peter20:22 The Gospel of Phillip24:00 How did the New Testament books get selected?29:22 The Niece Creed and its history37:58 What role did Constantine play?47:04 Bart Ehrman's views on early Christianity
How Bart Ehrman Gets Early Christian History Wrong - Darrell Bock Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-21 | New Testament historian Dr. Darrell Bock explains why he thinks Bart Ehrman's views on early Christianity are misleading.Full interview with Darrell dropping by the end of the week!Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
ChatGPT Could Never Be Conscious | #33 Dr. Ned Block Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-18 | Dr. Ned Block, professor of philosophy and psychology at NYU, joins me to discuss theories of consciousness, functionalism, the difference between access and phenomenal consciousness, the limitations of current Large Language Models, and how far away artificial general intelligence is from our current capacities.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction00:22 Hard vs. easy problems of consciousness07:39 Reductive vs. non-reductive physicalism12:19 The Chinese nation thought experiment19:14 Can ChatGPT fool you into thinking it's a human? The Turing test28:31 Rules vs. patterns-based reasoning34:16 Blockhead thought experiment37:53 Phenomenal vs. access consciousness44:09 What is artificial intelligence?46:27 The limits of LLMs49:48 Does thinking require a brain?50:34 Narrow vs. general AI51:57 Is AI about to surpass human intelligence?
The Turing Test is a Complete Failure - Ned Block Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-14 | Dr. Ned Block explains the Turing test, a famous proposed method for determining when a machine is conscious, and why he thinks it fails to deliver any philosophically interesting results.Full interview with Ned dropping by the end of the week!Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Two Oxford Students Solve All of Philosophy | #32 Sam Thomas Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-11 | Sam Thomas, my philosophy bestie hailing from Oxford, England, joins me to go through the results of the 2020 PhilPapers survey of professional philosophers. We offer our opinions on many major philosophical issues.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:15 A Priori Knowledge00:11:22 Aim of Philosophy00:22:01 Eating Animals00:32:50 Experience Machine00:43:17 External World Skepticism00:52:11 The Trolly Problem01:06:23 God's Existence01:29:38 Meaning of Life01:41:37 Chinese Room01:48:55 Immortality02:00:20 Philosophical Progress
Its Probably Wrong to Eat Animals - Sam Thomas Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-07 | Sam Thomas, graduate of Oxford and current soon-to-be MPhil student at UCL, explores the ethical implications of meat consumption, factory farming, and unique animal personalities.Full interview with Sam dropping by the end of the week!Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Philosophys Newest Argument for God Fails | #31 Dr. Graham Oppy Miles K. Donahue 2025-05-04 | Dr. Graham Oppy, perhaps academia's leading atheist philosopher of religion, joins me to analyze a newly proposed argument for God's existence: the argument from psychophysical harmony.Cutter and Crummett's article, "Psychophysical Harmony: A New Argument for Theism": philarchive.org/rec/CUTPHA To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:52 Defining psychophysical harmony00:14:06 The argument00:14:48 Prior probability of theism and naturalism00:39:19 Likelihood of harmony on theism and naturalism00:46:56 Can evolution explain harmony?00:56:20 What if mind is identical to brain?
Psychophysical Harmony, Explained - Graham Oppy Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-30 | Dr. Oppy and I explore the claimed phenomenon of "psychophysical harmony," that claim that our mental states and brain/body states are correlated in harmonious and fortunate ways. That fact then serves as the basis for a new argument for God's existence, explored in the full interview with Dr. Oppy.Full interview with Dr. Oppy dropping by the end of the week!Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
You Have Free Will. Deal With It | #30 Dr. Michael Huemer Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-27 | Dr. Michael Huemer, professor of philosophy at U.C. Boulder, returns to the podcast to defend the case for (libertarian) free will.Huemer's fantastic Substack: fakenous.substack.comTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKDEPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:22 What is free will?00:08:40 Huemer's proof of free will00:23:20 Is the proof question-begging?00:34:51 The mystery objection00:49:56 The luck objection01:05:02 Alex O'Connor's objection to free will01:13:22 The neuroscience objection01:22:05 Why do most scientists and philosophers deny libertarian free will?
Why Alex OConnor Gets Free Will Wrong - Michael Huemer Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-23 | Dr. Michael Huemer explains why he doesn't find Alex O'Connor's arguments against free will convincing.Full interview with Dr. Huemer dropping by the end of the week!Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
A Christianity without Conservative Politics? Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-21 | #christianity #conservative #liberal #theology
Is Naturalism Self-Refuting? | #29 Dr. Evan Fales Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-20 | Dr. Evan Fales, professor of philosophy at Iowa University, discusses Alvin Plantinga's famous "evolutionary argument against naturalism," and whether Plantinga has successfully shown that naturalism - the view that there is no person such as God or anything like God - cannot be rationally affirmed.For a list of Evan's publications: philpeople.org/profiles/evan-falesTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD00:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 What is naturalism?00:11:18 What is evolution?00:21:24 Plantinga's central claim00:38:00 Intentionality of mental states01:07:11 Defeaters for theism
Alzheimers Disease and Consciousness After Death - Josh Rasmussen Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-16 | Dr. Josh Rasmussen explains why he doesn't think that degenerative brain diseases prove that consciousness resides in the brain, and therefore that we should be open to the existence of an afterlife.For the full interview with Josh: youtu.be/OPNeYSZIQP0Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Can You Split the Mind? Severance Meets Philosophy | #28 Dr. Josh Rasmussen Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-13 | Dr. Josh Rasmussen, professor of philosophy at Baylor University, discusses the implications of the Apple Original TV show, "Severance", for two philosophical debates: (1) personal identity, and (2) the relationship between mind and body.For a list of Josh's publications: philpeople.org/profiles/joshua-rasmussenTo support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD00:00:00 Introduction00:02:16 Topic 1 - Personal identity00:06:17 Psychological accounts00:18:17 Animalism accounts00:41:18 Soul accounts00:44:28 Primitive identity00:51:31 Topic 2 - The mind-body problem01:11:26 Substance monism01:16:12 Consciousness after death01:26:25 Is materialism simpler than substance monism?01:34:20 Derek Parfit's "Split Brain" Thought Experiment
Commonsense Views of Time Make No Sense - Tim Maudlin Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-09 | Tim Maudlin explains his views about so-called "common sense" theories of time, like the A-theory or presentist theory of time, according to which only present objects and events exist.Full interview with Dr. Maudlin: youtu.be/alPLZk7u0C8Check out my new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Christians Must Divorce from Trump | #27 Dr. Randal Rauser Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-06 | Many have watched with alarm as American evangelicals - a particular sect of Protestant Christianity - have largely embraced President Donald Trump, despite the (seeming) inconsistency between his rhetoric on the one hand, and biblical principles on the other. Dr. Randal Rauser joins me for a third time to discuss the connections between evangelicalism, President Donald Trump, and the Republican party in general - contending, ultimately, that Christians must embrace a different vision of Christianity, one that cannot connect itself with President Trump.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueFor more from Randal, check out his blog: randalrauser.comInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD00:00:00 Introduction00:00:43 Defining "Evangelical"00:05:00 Evangelicals Vs. Fundamentalists00:10:07 The Role of Dispensationalism00:12:33 Statistics about Evangelicals and Trump00:13:35 Why Evangelicals Support Trump00:20:40 Three Reasons Evangelicals Don't Take Issue with Trump00:28:44 "It's what he does that matters, not what he says."00:37:39 Single-issue voting: abortion00:54:44 A New Vision of Christianity
Is the Fine-Tuning Argument Any Good? - Richard Carrier Miles K. Donahue 2025-04-02 | Richard Carrier and I debate the fine-tuning argument for theism, the rarity of life in the cosmos, and whether a multiverse explains the cosmic coincidence that nature's laws allow for life.Full interview with Dr. Carrier: youtube.com/watch?v=TxccR9GpJ7kCheck out my amazing and new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Atheists Can be Moral Realists Too | #26 Dr. Erik Wielenberg Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-30 | Erik Wielenberg, professor of philosophy at DePauw University, discusses godless normative realism, his attempt to craft an objective morality without appeal to God. We also debate divine command theory, the attempt to do the precise opposite: ground ethics in God's nature, and in His commands.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueFor more information about Dr. Wielenberg and a list of his publications: philpeople.org/profiles/erik-wielenbergInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD00:00:00 Introduction00:00:25 Godless Normative Realism (GNR)00:06:24 The Metaphysics of GNR00:15:33 Intrinsic goods and evils00:20:22 Moral obligations00:23:00 Is GNR Platonic?00:27:00 The 'making' relation00:42:26 The Epistemology of GNR00:56:20 Divine Command Theory (DCT)00:58:18 The error with the Euthyphro Dilemma01:03:47 Objection 1 - Ignores morally relevant features01:13:00 Objection 2 - Non-believers have no obligations01:33:28 Objection 3 - No explanation for morally wrong acts
Can Mormons Be Saved? - William Lane Craig Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-26 | Dr. William Lane Craig explains, in his view, why Mormons do not worship the same Jesus as Christians and therefore do not possess salvation.Full-length interview with Craig: youtu.be/399nl_nmYuQCheck out my amazing and new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD@thoughtfulfaith2020
Evolution Does Not Undermine Morality - Michael Huemer Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-19 | Dr. Huemer explains why evolutionary theory does not undermine our justified belief in objective moral principles and values.Full-length interview with Huemer: youtube.com/watch?v=wjXRtUXU_UY&t=509sCheck out my amazing and new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Richard Carriers Arguments for Atheism Fail | #24 Matthew Adelstein Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-16 | Matthew Adelstein, YouTuber, philosophy student, and prolific Substacker, sits down to discuss Richard Carrier's arguments for atheism and why they fail to convince. Matthew's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@UCgMYs1CgxkXy2KStHTvA9UA Matthew's written response to some of Carrier's arguments: substack.com/@benthamsbulldog/p-157356189Carrier's paper, "Bayesian Counter-Apologetics: Ten Arguments for God Destroyed": richardcarrier.info/archives/11868My dialogue with Carrier on many of these same points: youtube.com/watch?v=TxccR9GpJ7k&t=1376sEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:03:03 Cosmology00:16:04 Fine-Tuning00:40:26 Consciousness00:53:08 Reason01:00:41 Religious Experience01:24:32 Miracles01:29:34 Morality01:34:28 Meaning01:39:42 Superman
There Are No Many Worlds of Quantum Mechanics - Tim Maudlin Miles K. Donahue 2025-03-12 | Tim Maudlin explains why he rejects the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.The full interview with Prof. Tim Maudlin: youtube.com/watch?v=alPLZk7u0C8Check out my amazing and new Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.comTo donate to the channel: paypal.com/paypalme/mileskdonahueInstagram: instagram.com/miles_donahueTwitter: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
