Faith Deposited

Dr. Graham Oppy is a professor of philosophy at Monash university. He has debated with William Lane Craig, Edward Feser, and written extensively on the existence of God. In this conversation, we cover God's existence, naturalism, miracles, and the historicity of Christianity.

In this episode, William M. Briggs explores the philosophical foundations of science, the nature of truth, and the limits of empirical knowledge. He challenges modern scientism and discusses how metaphysical assumptions underpin scientific theories, especially in areas like sociology and artificial intelligence. Briggs's insights draw from his deep background in physics, mathematics, and philosophy, offering a compelling critique of the materialist worldview.The philosophical distinction between ontology and epistemologyWhy certainty is impossible in science and the importance of uncertaintyThe logical fallacies of eliminative materialism and scientismHow mathematical axioms originate outside empirical proofThe role of first causes and the concept of God in explaining causalityThe influence of modern cultural and academic forces on scientific consensusThe limitations of artificial intelligence and the importance of immaterial mindThe recurring themes of truth, reason, and faith throughout historyCritiques of climate models and their reliance on biased assumptionsThe importance of recognizing our cognitive biases and presuppositionsBrigg's SubstackThe Last Superstition by Ed Feser John Searle's Chinese Room paper William Briggs's Book: "Everything You Believe Is Wrong"Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the limits of scientific knowledge and Briggs's background02:15 - The importance of not rushing to belief in uncertain propositions04:05 - Necessity of uncertainty and the impossibility of absolute certainty in science06:02 - The metaphysical roots of truth and the critique of radical skepticism08:42 - The history of philosophical debates on truth and the role of first principles11:07 - The flawed assumptions in scientism and its influence on modern culture13:42 - Mathematical axioms, their origins, and their faith-based nature16:06 - The moral and philosophical implications of materialism and brute facts19:14 - The limitations of scientific models, especially in climate science22:13 - The influence of political bias and cultural corruption in academia25:25 - The false attribution of morality to scientific procedures and data28:12 - The nature of consciousness and why computers cannot become truly intelligent32:27 - The philosophical and theological argument for a first cause / God36:20 - The significance of causality, purpose, and design in understanding reality39:51 - Briggs's personal journey from science to theology and his favorite books44:25 - The dangers of confirmation bias and the perils of scientism in public discourse48:39 - The misconceptions about artificial intelligence and the impossibility of machine consciousness52:16 - The difference in kind between humans and machines; the unbridgeable gap56:09 - The role of faith, divine God, and the limitations of human reason60:19 - The mystery of consciousness and the immaterial soul at the core of being62:17 - Resources for further reading and Briggs’s upcoming book editionsResources & Links:Connect with William Briggs: