I’ve found some of the characterizations of Craig’s arguments and debate style baffling.
When he debates the existence of god, he always delivers the same five arguments (technically, it’s four: his fifth claim is that god can be known directly, independently of any argument). He develops these arguments as carefully as time allows, and defends each of his premises. He uses the kalam cosmological argument, the fine tuning argument, the moral argument, and the argument from the resurrection of Jesus. This can hardly be characterized as dumping.
Also, his arguments are logically valid; you won’t see any, ‘brain teaser, therefore god!’ moves from him. He’s not only a ‘theologian’; he’s a trained philosopher (he actually has two earned PHDs, one in philosophy and one in theology).
Finally, Craig is at his best when it comes to his responses. He is extremely quick, and is very adept at both responding to criticisms of his arguments, and at taking his opponent’s arguments apart.
Debating William Lane Craig on the topic of god’s existence without preparation would be as ill advised as taking on a well trained UFC fighter in the octagon without preparation. To extend the analogy further, it would be like thinking it’s a good idea because you’ve won a couple of street fights and want to test yourself.
I don’t think its a good idea either. But the fact that the debate would be on bloggingheads rather than in front of an audience with formal speeches and timed rebuttals definitely helps Eliezer. He’s free to ask questions, clarify things etc.
So really its like fighting a UFC fighter in an alley. Not a good idea but I guess you might have a chance.
Well you’d have more experience with the medium. But at a formal debate he’d give 5 five arguments each of which would take your entire speaking time to respond to. On bloggingheads you can ask for his best argument and then spend as much time as you need to on it (or within bloggingheads limits I guess). Also, if you watch formal debates between theists and atheists the participants often avoid answering the difficult questions. In particular, theists always avoid explaining how invoking God doesn’t merely obscure and push the question of creation back a step. This medium gives you and opportunity to press things and I like to think that opportunity is an advantage for the side of truth.
Still I’m sure he has an answer to that question. The guy does this for a living, I think even if you prepare it would be a good test of your skills.
I’ve found some of the characterizations of Craig’s arguments and debate style baffling.
When he debates the existence of god, he always delivers the same five arguments (technically, it’s four: his fifth claim is that god can be known directly, independently of any argument). He develops these arguments as carefully as time allows, and defends each of his premises. He uses the kalam cosmological argument, the fine tuning argument, the moral argument, and the argument from the resurrection of Jesus. This can hardly be characterized as dumping.
Also, his arguments are logically valid; you won’t see any, ‘brain teaser, therefore god!’ moves from him. He’s not only a ‘theologian’; he’s a trained philosopher (he actually has two earned PHDs, one in philosophy and one in theology).
Finally, Craig is at his best when it comes to his responses. He is extremely quick, and is very adept at both responding to criticisms of his arguments, and at taking his opponent’s arguments apart.
Debating William Lane Craig on the topic of god’s existence without preparation would be as ill advised as taking on a well trained UFC fighter in the octagon without preparation. To extend the analogy further, it would be like thinking it’s a good idea because you’ve won a couple of street fights and want to test yourself.
I don’t think its a good idea either. But the fact that the debate would be on bloggingheads rather than in front of an audience with formal speeches and timed rebuttals definitely helps Eliezer. He’s free to ask questions, clarify things etc.
So really its like fighting a UFC fighter in an alley. Not a good idea but I guess you might have a chance.
I’d tend to assume that the absence of a moderator makes it easier to abuse the more inexperienced party.
Well you’d have more experience with the medium. But at a formal debate he’d give 5 five arguments each of which would take your entire speaking time to respond to. On bloggingheads you can ask for his best argument and then spend as much time as you need to on it (or within bloggingheads limits I guess). Also, if you watch formal debates between theists and atheists the participants often avoid answering the difficult questions. In particular, theists always avoid explaining how invoking God doesn’t merely obscure and push the question of creation back a step. This medium gives you and opportunity to press things and I like to think that opportunity is an advantage for the side of truth.
Still I’m sure he has an answer to that question. The guy does this for a living, I think even if you prepare it would be a good test of your skills.
Did this debate ever end up happening? If it did, is there a transcript available somewhere?
Edit: Found in another comment that WLC turned down the debate.