Capturing Christianity Podcast · Cameron Bertuzzi

CC213: Why We Should WANT God to Exist (Dr. Liz Jackson)

·31 min·3 clips

Dr. Liz Jackson explores why we should want God to exist and its implications for theology and philosophy.

This episode features Cameron Bertuzzi interviewing philosopher Liz Jackson about the axiology of theism, which examines the value of God's existence. Jackson, a recurring guest, explores whether God's existence would be good, bad, or neutral and why that matters. The conversation builds on her previous discussions about faith and rationality on the platform. The hosts begin by framing axiology as the study of value applied to theistic belief. Jackson outlines common arguments that God's existence could be negative, such as threats to human autonomy or the problem of hell. She references contemporary philosophers like Guy Kahane who analyze these value-based objections to theism. The discussion contrasts these with potential positive values, including cosmic justice and ultimate purpose. Bertuzzi prompts Jackson to apply this framework to everyday examples, like the value of marriage, to illustrate abstract concepts. They examine how one's prior desires shape whether they view God's existence as desirable. Jackson explains how axiological considerations interact with traditional epistemic arguments for God. A key insight is that evaluating God's existence isn't purely intellectual but involves our deepest wants and fears. Jackson notes that many people's resistance to theism stems from axiological worries rather than logical proofs. She suggests that if God's existence is objectively good, then wanting it to be true could be rational. The conversation reveals how philosophical debates often hinge on unstated assumptions about what constitutes a "good" world. Jackson points out that perceptions of divine punishment heavily influence negative axiological judgments. Bertuzzi and Jackson agree that separating emotional reactions from philosophical analysis is challenging yet necessary. The tone is educational and conversational, with Bertuzzi guiding the discussion through accessible questions. The style is analytical, breaking down a specialized philosophical topic for a general audience. Listeners interested in the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and theology will find this episode engaging. Those seeking biblical exposition or narrative storytelling might find it too abstract.

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