Matt, the front expresses the probability calculus of Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism.
He asks, given the conjunction of evolution and naturalism N&E, what is the probability that our cognitive faculties are reliable R (the proper parts of our cognitive faculities are aimed at producing true beliefs))?
He expresses that this way:
P(R/N&E)
After a blistering amount of arguments, he concludes that their reliability is low (under .5), or at best inscrutable (we just can't assign it a number). I translate that to:
> .5 or ?
So, the front is just an expression of the conclusion. The argument is in the middle of the shirt. When you look at that funky monkey, you just know in your gut that God, not evolution, designed your cognitive equipment. :-)
No problem dude. The monkey on the front makes sense once you see the back, but doesn't really fit with the evo/naturalism and rationality stuff on the front.
Darwin's Doubt
I must confess my ignorance. Could you explain the front of the shirt for those of us who may be a little philosophically impaired?
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you bring that up. I've been posting on TAG lately:
ReplyDeletehttp://contra-gentes.blogspot.com/2008/03/knowledge-of-god-tag-part-the-knowledge.html
http://contra-gentes.blogspot.com/2008/03/knowledge-of-god-tag-part-b-dualistic.html
http://contra-gentes.blogspot.com/2008/03/knowledge-of-god-tag-part-c-platonism-1.html
Matt, the front expresses the probability calculus of Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism.
ReplyDeleteHe asks, given the conjunction of evolution and naturalism N&E, what is the probability that our cognitive faculties are reliable R (the proper parts of our cognitive faculities are aimed at producing true beliefs))?
He expresses that this way:
P(R/N&E)
After a blistering amount of arguments, he concludes that their reliability is low (under .5), or at best inscrutable (we just can't assign it a number). I translate that to:
> .5 or ?
So, the front is just an expression of the conclusion. The argument is in the middle of the shirt. When you look at that funky monkey, you just know in your gut that God, not evolution, designed your cognitive equipment. :-)
Sweet!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be "< .5 or ?" as you're trying to say "P(R/N&E) < 0.5".
ReplyDeleteOh crap Kraft. You're right. That was my dyslexia! Now I have to take it back to them.
ReplyDeleteI'll re-post the front after the repair!
ReplyDeleteI could see this as a shirt to sell online. Maybe dress up the front graphics a bit and reduce the font size on the back...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely would be a winner among the folks I know.
No problem dude. The monkey on the front makes sense once you see the back, but doesn't really fit with the evo/naturalism and rationality stuff on the front.
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteAre those your lats in that shirt, or Ronnie Coleman's?
B.J.
My lats baby!But the camera adds 10-15 pounds, they say. :-)
ReplyDelete