The leibnizian cosmological argument or the contingency argument for gods existence is presented and defended and debated between philosophers fc copleston and bertrand russell. Below is an excerpt from a debate between bertrad russell and father f. Copleston in 1947 there was an interesting debate between bertrand russell and f. The existence of god, a debate between bertrand russell and father f. What is an agnostic bertrand russell atheist empire. In the first section, the argument from contingency, copleston argues that god must exist because the universe requires a necessary being to explain it, but russell argues that the universe is a brute. Published in humanitas manchester and reprinted in bertrand russell, why i am not a christian london. Russell maintained that while he was technically agnostic. The cosmological argument russell and copleston debate. The copleston, russell debate coplestons cosmological argument.
A level philosophy and ethics notes the cosmological argument russell and copleston these notes are based on a transcript of the radio debate between f. Well, my position is the affirmative position that such a being actually exists, and that his existence can be proved philosophically. The whole thing can be found here along with audio. The copleston russell debate is an exchange concerning the existence of god between frederick copleston and bertrand russell in a 1948 bbc radio broadcast. This extract is a transcript of a radio debate between f. This is an excerpt from the full broadcast from cassette tape a3035. Bertrand russell transcript of the full debate available at. The debate that took place has become one of the most famous moments in radio history. Copleston 1907 1994 was a jesuit priest who was professor of history of philosophy at heythrop college, london. Coplestons argument is based on a combination of aquinas 3rd way and leibnizs principle. Russells insistence on accuracy when using terms of modern logic might seem to be a refusal to even enter into a debate with copleston, but it does raise a valid point. Copleston proposed his cosmological argument in a famous bbc radio debate with bertrand russell.
Debate entre bertrand russell y copleston pdf moral psychology and ethical theory. The one eminent modern thinker that copleston refers to is alfred north whitehead, who coauthored with bertrand russell their monumental work on logic, principia mathematica, 3 vols. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read history of western philosophy. This extract is a transcript a writtendown version of a recording of a famous radio debate between the catholic priest and philosopher f. The fact that a belief has a good moral effect upon a man is no evidence whatsoever in favor of its truth. Whitehead was wellknown for his metaphysical defenses of belief in god. Here is the famous debate on the existence of god between frederick copleston and bertrand russell. Copleston has given me the insight into ancient greece and rome that i had been after for years, yet it had eluded me. Make certain that there is a good attachment of the silicon seal to the existing cable. The copleston, russell debate coplestons cosmological argument 1948 bbc radio debate 2. Both philosophers are trying to use their intellect to win the argument. Frederick copleston, sj 19071994, england history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of religion the russellcopleston debate apr. Copleston catholic priest and religious believer and bertrand russell philosopher and nonbeliever, broadcast in 1948 on the bbc. A wellknown scientist some say it was bertrand russell once gave a public lecture on.
Leibnizian cosmological argument frederick copleston vs. Copleston which centred on the cosmological argument. I recently read a debate between the british historian of philosophy frederick copleston also a jesuit and the british philosopher bertrand russell. Bertrand russell face to face interview bbc, 1959 bertrand russell 1872 1970 was a british philosopher, logician. Copleston s history of philosophy series librarything. Copleston says that it is not the specific morals themselves that are absolute, but rather the very existence of morals which, according to him, would only make sense if. History of western philosophy ebook written by bertrand russell. In 1947, two great philosophers took to the airwaves to debate the existence of god. Copleston and bertrand russell audio and transcript xpost from rhistoryofideas close 261. Copleston and bertrand russell squared off on bbc radio for a debate on the existence of. History of western philosophy by bertrand russell books. From the french revolution to sartre, camus, and levistrauss by frederick copleston. Infinite regress cosmos ex nihilo a posteriori inductive you will need your text books to help you answer these first questions.
Copleston and bertrand russell broadcast in 1948 on the third program of the british broadcasting corporation. A debate on the argument from contingency father f. Copleston and bertrand russell squared off on bbc radio for a debate on the existence of god. Copleston and bertrand russell broadcast by the bbc in 1948. Radio debate between copleston and russell 1948 hokmah. The cosmological argument and the principle of sufficient reason.
Frederick copleston by bertrand russell and frederick copleston. You have to imagine, in 1948 this was probably a very exciting thing and everyone and their dog would be gathering around the wireless to listen in on these two dudes having an argument. As we are going to discuss the existence of god, it might perhaps be as well to come to some provisional agreement as to what we understand by the term god. The famous 1948 bbc radio debate on the existence of god between fr.
Copleston and agnostic nonbeliever bertrand russell. What is the main message between the moral argument. Copleston vs russell audio and cartoon teaching resources. I have to say that, as a great admirer of russell, i thought his responses to copleston were not wholly satisfactory, particularly with respect to the following argument. The coplestonrussell debate is an exchange concerning the existence of god between frederick copleston and bertrand russell in a 1948 bbc radio broadcast. Bertrand russell and frederick copleston discuss the socalled argument from contingency, a kind of cosmological argument for gods existence. Frederick charles copleston cbe sj 10 april 1907 3 february 1994 was a jesuit priest, philosopher, and historian of philosophy, best known for his influential multi. Idealism in america, the pragmatist movement, the revolt against idealism by frederick copleston 8. Debate bertrand russell copleston pdf on january 28, the british philosophers f. It is not, however, worth the effort required to consume it. In 1948 there was a famous radio debate between fr frederick copleston sj and the agnostic philosopher bertrand russell. However, in the 1948 bbc radio debate between bertrand russell and frederick copleston, russell chose to assume the position of the agnostic, though it seems to have been because he admitted to not being able to prove the nonexistence of god. When copleston argues that god is a necessary being he implies that it is self. The central question they are debating here is whether it is meaningful to ask about the cause of a series.
The cosmological argument russell and copleston debate 1. Well, in 1948 the bbc third programme brought together frederick copleston and bertrand russell to debate, live on radio, issues to do with the existence of god. Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for catholic seminary students, frederick coplestons ninevolume a history of philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in english. Russell refused to accept the idea of necessary beings. Preliminariesthe debate bertrand russell 18721970, oxford philosophy of language, epistemology, mathematics, logic, etc. Copleston in which they discussion the contingency version of the cosmological argument. Copleston is also remembered for his debate on the bbc with bertrand russell, a debate which showed up russells intellectual vacuity when he argued that words such as universe were unintelligible and scientists should not be expected to look for cause but simply accept things were there. For instance, when pressed by copleston as to the cause of the world and. A history of philosophy, vol 8 book by frederick charles. In this section, copleston proposes support for the existence. For a complete account of the bertrand russell case at city college in 1940, see the chapter, how bertrand russell was prevented from teaching. Frederick copleston, the existence of god a debate with rus sell, why i am. This debate was a third programmme broadcast of the british broadcasting corporation in 1948. Plenary activity cartoon for students to sum up the debate in speech bubbles.
The debate was in three sections, but only the first two form the extract in the edexcel anthology. A history of philosophy, 11 vols by frederick charles. This is an excerpt from the full broadcast from cassette tape a3035 open university course, problems of philosophy units 78. Copleston vs bertrand russell part 1 uploaded by riversonthemoon on jul 15, 2009 bbc radio third programme recording january 28, 1948. Coplestons history of philosophy series which refuses to go away is not a bad in the strictest sense of the term, as copleston was a careful scholar and commits no serious errors. Copleston, an oxford jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with a.
Creative commons attribution license reuse allowed view attributions. A debate on the existence of god bertrand russell hereafter r. Transcript of the russellcopleston radio debate scandalon. Russell and copleston debate introduction to philosophy. Copleston is an absolutist, whereas russell is a relativist, although they both emphasize that they are not at the extremes. Russell however refused to accept the notion of a necessary being as one that cannot be thought of not existing, and concluded that the regress of causal events could not be held. Which philosopher was copleston referring to in his debate. Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for catholic seminary students, frederick copleston s ninevolume a history of philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in english. Bertrand russell agnostic philosopher, picture right listen to the original 1948 fr copleston vs russell debate edited portion on contingency this debate was a third programmme broadcast of the british broadcasting corporation in 1948 reprinted in several sources. Throughout it all, copleston is mindful to keep the reader aware of the overarching story each thinker he broaches is brought up in a regard as a response to, or elaboration on, another thinker. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link page information. Historico debate entre bertrand russell y copleston subtitulado first, that the existence of god can be philosophically proved by a metaphysical argument. I recommend reading the entire 11 volume series for anyone interested, especially serious students of philosophy. In the metaphysical part, which is presented here, copleston espouses.
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