In this episode, we continue exploring the differences between Realism and Nominalism by discussing good reasons to hold a Realist perspective.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• What good reasons do we have to believe in abstract objects that we cannot see?
• How is it that we are intuitively aware of things we cannot see?
• Why do we naturally group things together? Is this “seeing” the universal they all share?
• What are relations? Are they real? Can we see them?
• What were some of the ideas that early modern empiricists got right?
• What kinds of theological problems do we bump into when we reject realism?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Stan Wallace, “Three Reasons to Believe in Things You Can’t See,” (four-part series)
• The first episode in this series: #45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate

Recommended resources:

• J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, chapter on Properties
• Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions, chapter on Properties
• Scott Smith, The The Dangers of Nominalism, on The Kirkwood Center Podcast

#45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate

In this episode, we kick off a series discussing the most fundamental issue underlying all other questions: what makes things what they are? How does a proper understanding help us live well and flourish in our world?

In this podcast, we discuss:

• Defining the two options: realism (universals exist) and nominalism (universals don’t exist)
• What is God’s relationship to universals? Is this a threat to His uniqueness?
• How does thinking well about this issue help us grow in the knowledge and love of God?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Stan Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Pitirim Sorokin, The Crisis of Our Age (archive edition)
• Paul Gould, Beyond the Control of God? Six Views on The Problem of God and Abstract Objects

Recommended resources:

• J. P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview
• Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions
• Scott Smith, Dangers of Nominalism: An Interview

In this episode, we continue our series by discussing the final chapter of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• How does understanding what people are help us in proclaiming the Good News?
• How can we avoid the two extremes of only caring for the body or only caring for the soul in missional contexts?
• What does it mean to have confidence or trust in a belief? How does faith relate to certainty?
• How does a commitment to holistic dualism help us avoid dehumanizing others?
• How can holistic dualism help us integrate our faith and our professions?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website.
• A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here.