Anthony Flew’s Evidentialism based on the Theological Argument; A Methodological Approach in the Face of Scientific Atheism

Authors
Islamic Azad University
Abstract
Abstract
Scientific atheism is an approach that tries to explain natural phenomena by relying on scientific propositions and sufficing with material causes. Hence, the transcendental or immaterial dimension is superfluous in this explanatory view. In the face of scientific atheism, Anthony Flew claims that it is possible to provide an explanation that does not have the drawbacks and consequences of a mere scientific explanation. This paper attempts to answer whether Flew’s explanation of the order of existence is preferable over the purely scientific explanations of the atheists and is considered the “best explanation”. In this article, the authors aim to portray Anthony Flow's methodical encounter with scientific atheism as a coherent system and expand on some of her ideas. A reflection upon Flew’s latest work and reviewing his interviews and debates show that he presents a systematic encounter with scientific atheism. In this process, he demonstrates the limitations of scientific explanation, proves the intelligent design of nature, provides scientific evidence, expresses the necessity of transcendental explanation, and presents a new interpretation of the theological argument. From Flow’s point of view, although the total evidence does not form a deductive argument, it will lead to a valid probabilistic induction according to which the best possible explanation can be considered the existence of a wise, intelligent, self-founded, and immaterial source.
Keywords

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