Reformed epistemology

Portrait john calvin

Reformed epistemology is a branch of epistemology that argues against the classical empiricism and rationalism stance that belief in God requires justification through evidence or argument. It posits that belief in God can be "properly basic" and grounded in a foundational way that is rational and justified without recourse to evidence or argument. This perspective is heavily influenced by the works of 20th-century philosophers Alvin Plantinga and Nicholas Wolterstorff, drawing from earlier Reformation thinkers such as John Calvin.

Overview

Reformed epistemology contends that a belief in God does not necessarily have to be supported by empirical evidence or traditional philosophical arguments for it to be rational. Instead, it can be considered a basic belief, akin to our belief in the external world or other minds, which does not require inferential justification. This approach challenges the evidentialism that dominates much of the discourse in philosophy of religion, suggesting that demanding evidence for God's existence misunderstands the nature of religious belief.

Historical Background

The roots of Reformed epistemology can be traced back to the Reformation era, particularly in the works of John Calvin, who suggested that knowledge of God is innate and instilled in humans by God himself. This idea was further developed in the 20th century by Alvin Plantinga and Nicholas Wolterstorff, who argued against the prevailing evidentialist critiques of religious belief, notably those posited by J.L. Mackie and Anthony Flew.

Key Concepts

Properly Basic Beliefs

At the heart of Reformed epistemology is the concept of properly basic beliefs. These are beliefs that are accepted without being based on other beliefs. According to Plantinga, belief in God can be considered properly basic and does not require evidence or argument to be rational. This concept challenges the traditional foundationalism in epistemology, which holds that all knowledge must be justified by appeal to evidence or reason.

The Externalist Account of Warrant

Plantinga introduces the notion of warrant as that which distinguishes true belief from knowledge. He argues for an externalist account of warrant, which suggests that a belief is warranted if it is produced by cognitive faculties functioning properly in an appropriate epistemic environment. Under this view, if belief in God is produced by our cognitive faculties in the right conditions, then it can be considered warranted and thus knowledge.

Criticism and Response

Reformed epistemology has faced criticism from both evidentialists and those who argue that it allows for any belief to be considered properly basic, potentially leading to relativism or fideism. In response, proponents argue that not all beliefs qualify as properly basic; they must meet certain criteria, such as being universally accessible and not defeasible by other evidence or arguments.

Impact and Legacy

Reformed epistemology has had a significant impact on the philosophy of religion and apologetics, offering a robust defense of religious belief against classical objections. It has also influenced discussions on the nature of faith, reason, and the justification of belief in other areas such as moral epistemology.