basil mitchell

• Who criticized Flew from a different angle than Hare?

  Basil Mitchell
• What does Mitchell argue about religious beliefs?


  They are falsifiable in principle.
• What parable does Mitchell use to explain his view on religious beliefs?


  The parable of the stranger.
• What does Mitchell think about the fact of pain in relation to God's love?


  It counts against the assertion that God loves men.
• What theological problem does the fact of pain generate according to Mitchell?


  The problem of evil.
• How does the theologian respond to the fact of pain?


  They recognize it counts against Christian doctrine but trust in God despite it.
• What is Mitchell's view on the believer's awareness of difficulties like the problem of evil?


  Believers are aware of difficulties but their commitment prevents them from being overwhelming.
• How does the partisan in the parable view the Stranger's ambiguous behavior?


  It counts against what he believes about him.
• What constitutes the trial of faith according to Mitchell?


  The situation where the believer recognizes evidence that challenges their belief.
• How does Mitchell's parable differ from Hare's view on beliefs?


  The partisan admits that many things count against his belief, while Hare's lunatic does not.
• What reason does the partisan have for his initial commitment to trust the Stranger?


  The character of the Stranger.
• How does Mitchell describe the nature of religious belief?


  It is not groundless and has reasons behind it.
• What does the partisan see in the Stranger's actions?


  Sometimes the Stranger appears to support the resistance, and sometimes against it.
• What evidence can believers see that supports their faith?

  Morality, altruism, design qua purpose, and regularity.
• What evidence can believers see that supports the atheist position?

  Moral and natural evil.
• What does Mitchell argue about the believer's faith in relation to falsifiability?


  Faith is falsifiable in principle but not in practice due to commitment.
• What does Mitchell mean by 'trial of faith'?


  An acknowledgment of evidence that challenges the existence of God.
• What does Mitchell reject about Flew's view on faith?


  That faith cannot be falsified.
• What are the key points of Mitchell's argument against Flew's view on religious belief?


  • Religious beliefs are falsifiable in principle.
  • The parable of the stranger illustrates the believer's acknowledgment of doubt.
  • Believers trust in the character of God despite challenges.
  • Faith undergoes trials but remains committed.
  • Faith can be falsified in principle but is not in practice.
• What is the significance of the parable of the stranger in Mitchell's argument?


  • The partisan trusts the Stranger despite doubts.
  • The Stranger's ambiguous actions reflect real challenges to belief.
  • The partisan's commitment constitutes a trial of faith.
  • It contrasts with Hare's lunatic who has no reasons for his beliefs.