Ateisten om Gud

Abstract

The French philosopher André Comte-Sponville (1952-), like many other contemporary atheists, reduce reality to the material world. In that way his thought represents the modern concept of reason, which is based on the synthesis between cartesianism and empiricism, a synthesis confirmed by technological progress. This article critically discusses Comte-Sponville’s arguments against belief in the existence of God, contained in his book, L’esprit de l’athéisme. Introduction à une spiritualié sans Dieu (2006). These arguments are divided into two groups of three. The first three arguments are of a negative character and treat of the failure of arguments that have traditionally been offered for the proof of God’s existence. The second group is of a positive character and give Comte-Sponville’s reasons for not believing in God. The critical analysis argues that the strongest argument, although also the most subjective, is the one Comte-Sponville takes from his own per-sonal experience. The remaining arguments are, it is argued, simply efforts to rationally justify unbelief, since, just as faith in God, a lack of faith seeks its own understanding and justification.