Shows
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayKendrick Lamar’s Televised Revolution and Ben Watkins Talks Alex CrossVan and Rachel react to the Super Bowl (0:00) before giving their reviews of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show (14:42). Then, Kanye West is regrettably in the news again (31:35), and Trump signs an order in solidarity with white South Africans (45:10). Finally, the showrunner of Prime Video’s ‘Cross,’ Ben Watkins, joins to discuss Aldis Hodge’s star power (55:51) and his thoughts on him possibly being the next Black Panther (1:08:37).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Ben WatkinsProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad ch...2025-02-111h 25
Real AtheologyRA056: Marilyn McCord Adams and the Defeat of EvilBefore her death in 2017, Marilyn McCord Adams had a long and impressive career as a philosopher and theologian. While she had many interests both philosophical and theological, the problem of evil loomed ever-present in her thinking. I intend this video as an introduction to her views on the problem of evil; specifically on the notion of axiological defeat that features so heavily.
Adams, M. M., & Sutherland, S. (1989). Horrendous evils and the goodness of God. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Supplementary Volumes, 63, 297-323.Adams, M. M. (2018). Horrendous evils and the goodness of God. Cornell University...2025-02-0223 min
Real AtheologyRA055: Pete Mandik on Materialism, Quine, and Religious MysticismIn this episode, Ben Watkins sits down with Professor Pete Mandik to discuss several different ways of conceiving of materialism along with strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Professor Mandik also gives a summary of a view inspire by Quine he calls “Type-Q Materialism.” Additionally, Ben and Professor Mandik discuss various aspects of religious mysticism and touch on the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.2025-02-021h 55
Real AtheologyRA054: Why Evidence Isn't Everything | Intrinsic ProbabilityThe intrinsic probability of a theory is the probability that a theory has purely in virtue of its intrinsic features. In this video, I give a brief overview of Paul Draper's theory of intrinsic probability according to which the intrinsic probability of a theory depends only on its modesty and coherence.2025-02-0211 min
Real AtheologyRA053: A Dialogue on Theodicy with Kyle Alander (Christian Idealism)This episode is part interview and part dialogue between Justin Schieber and Christian YouTuber Kyle Alander about Kyle's preferred approach to the problem of evil. Alander adopts a defeat-based approach along the lines of Marilyn McCord Adams, Trent Dougherty, and John Schneider. In this almost four hour long episode, they discuss how defeat is understood in the dialectic surrounding the problem of evil. We also unpack Kyle’s preferred defeat-based theodicy before exploring at some length multiple objections to it in an effort to clarify details. However, one topic we avoid here is whether adding such rich detail to on...2025-02-024h 00
Real AtheologyRA052: Objective Idealism and Presuppositionalist ApologeticsIn this episode, Ben Watkins sits down to discuss the Van Tillian tradition of presuppositional apologetics often found online along with objective idealism— an epistemological view often associated with Post-Kantians like Hegel, Fichte, and Schelling. Two claims of Van Til are challenged using the resources of objective idealism:
Those two claims are (i) Christianity is a necessary condition to know anything at all and (ii) the Christian and the non-Christian have no neutral ground to resolve their disagreements.
In addition to challenging these claims by appeal to a form of...2025-02-0221 min
Real AtheologyRA051: Hume the Atheist? A Humean Case against Theism with Paul RussellIn this episode, Ben Watkins sits down with Professor Paul Russell to discuss David Hume, philosophy of religion, and Dialogues concerning Natural Religion.
Professor Russell is a leading Hume scholar and author of “The Riddle of Hume’s Treatise” which argues irreligion is central to understanding the naturalism and skepticism at the heart of Hume’s philosophy, specially, that expressed in his “A Treatise of Human Nature.” These irreligious themes culminate in Hume’s masterpiece: “Dialogues of concerning Natural Religion.”
Professor Russell walks us through different models of god, the argument for d...2025-02-021h 21
Real AtheologyRA050: THIS is Why God Hides? (Part 8 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)The Hiddenness Series returns. Richard Swinburne's responsibility argument aims to show it's good for God to stay hidden. That way we can investigate God's existence together. Assisting others in this endeavor, says Swinburne, is a very good deed—one we should be thankful to have the opportunity to do. In this video I discuss Swinburne's argument, Schellenberg's response, and Travis Dumsday's reformulation. I then share some of my own objections to the responsibility argument. Most importantly, I explain how it fails to undercut Schellenberg's hiddenness argument.2025-02-0213 min
The Leader's KitbagSHORTS | Political Relationships in the Workplace with Michael WatkinsIn these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 156, with Michael Watkins, a professor of leadership at the IMD Business School and an international bestselling author. In this clip, we talk about how to overcome hang-ups about office politics and leveraging influence to drive change within organisations. Once you’ve listened to the ‘SHORT’, why not click the link below and tune in to the full episode? Enjoyed The Short? Listen to the full episode here. Have Ben as Your Coa...2024-09-2603 minThe Leader's KitbagSHORTS | Political Relationships in the Workplace with Michael WatkinsIn these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 156, with Michael Watkins, a professor of leadership at the IMD Business School and an international bestselling author. In this clip, we talk about how to overcome hang-ups about office politics and leveraging influence to drive change within organisations. Once you’ve listened to the ‘SHORT’, why not click the link below and tune in to the full episode? Enjoyed The Short? Listen to the full episode here. Have Ben as Your Coa...2024-09-2603 min
The Leader's KitbagNavigating Strategic Thinking and Cultivating Effective Communication with Michael WatkinsJoin Ben Morton for a not-to-be-missed episode featuring Michael Watkins, a professor of leadership at IMD Business School and bestselling author, as they explore strategic thinking and effective communication in the workplace.In This Episode You Will Learn:Michael's insights into what it truly means to think strategically and practical applications for enhancing strategic thinking abilities within your organization.Strategies for developing a strategic mindset and fostering effective communication to drive organizational success.Practical exercises and frameworks for enhancing strategic thinking capabilities and overcoming common challenges.The importance of effective communication in strategic leadership and strategies...2024-02-2250 minThe Leader's KitbagNavigating Strategic Thinking and Cultivating Effective Communication with Michael WatkinsJoin Ben Morton for a not-to-be-missed episode featuring Michael Watkins, a professor of leadership at IMD Business School and bestselling author, as they explore strategic thinking and effective communication in the workplace.In This Episode You Will Learn:Michael's insights into what it truly means to think strategically and practical applications for enhancing strategic thinking abilities within your organization.Strategies for developing a strategic mindset and fostering effective communication to drive organizational success.Practical exercises and frameworks for enhancing strategic thinking capabilities and overcoming common challenges.The importance of effective communication in strategic leadership and strategies...2024-02-2250 min
Real AtheologyRA049: The End of Divine Hiddenness? (Part 7 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)This video is a response to a recent video by Christopher Cloos at Christian Philosophy Academy.
Chris' Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9dldyWQwE&t=1445s
In his video, Cloos presents an objection to Schellenberg's divine hiddenness argument from a recent essay by Daniel Howard-Snyder which argues that, possibly, God may hide from people to attain a 'better start' to a relationship with them even while being perfectly loving.
I first trace the dialectic between Daniel Howard-Snyder and J.L. Schellenberg before examining Howard-Snyder's most recent attempt to undermine Schellenberg's argument. I conclude that Howard-Snyder's...2023-12-2226 min
Real AtheologyRA048: A Conversation on Divine Hiddenness with Gavin Ortlund (Part 6 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)In this video, Justin Schieber joins Dr. Gavin Ortlund for a friendly conversation on Schellenberg's argument from Divine Hiddenness. 2023-12-221h 24
Real AtheologyRA047: Gavin Ortlund is Wrong about Divine Hiddenness (Part 5 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)A few weeks ago, Gavin Ortlund of Truth Unites released a video exploring the argument from divine hiddenness and giving several objections to it. While I appreciated Gavin's wrestling with the argument, I did not think his objections are successful. This video seeks to respond to those objections by clarifying aspects of Schellenberg's reasoning.
Gavin Ortlund's video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d-6UhOS0FE&t=2262s2023-11-2934 min
Real AtheologyRA046: The Case for Nonresistant Nonbelief (Part 4 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)Welcome back to the Hiddenness Series. In the last episode, we looked at Schellenberg's concept of a nonresistant nonbeliever which plays a central role in his argument from Divine Hiddenness. To refresh, somebody is a nonresistant nonbeliever if they (1) fail to believe that God exists and (2) that failure is not the result of their resistance to God. We also looked at the concept of resistance at play here and we saw that it included a desire component in conjunction with actions or omissions driven by that desire. Certain desire/action/omission combinations, if expressed by a person could conceivably...2023-11-0318 min
Real AtheologyRA045: What is a Nonresistant Nonbeliever, Really? (Part 3 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)According to Schellenberg’s argument from Divine Hiddenness, a nonresistant nonbeliever is, simply put, somebody who fails to believe in God in such a way that the failure is not itself the result of resistant self-deception. A key premise of the divine hiddenness argument just is the claim that such persons exist and/or have existed in the past. For most people, this premise will appear obvious and this appearance likely the result of their connections and communications with other people. People they know and understand. People they trust and respect. On the other hand, some people claim to be...2023-10-1813 min
Real AtheologyRA044: The Argument from Divine Hiddenness (Part 2 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)In this episode Justin Schieber continues the hiddenness series by presenting J.L. Schellenberg’s Argument from divine hiddenness. Since the 1993 publication of his Divine Hiddenness and Human Reason Schellenberg’s argument has received widespread attention and still generates deep engagement. This is because many atheists find it to be quite powerful and persuasive. Many theists find it challenging and worth responding to. This episode is intended as a presentation of Schellenberg’s argument, not a full-throated defense.
https://www.realatheology.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RealAtheology
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q...2023-10-1821 min
Real AtheologyRA043: The Varieties of Hidden Experience (Part 1 of the Divine Hiddenness Series)Broadly speaking, Arguments from Hiddenness are philosophical arguments with atheistic conclusions arising from the fact that either the felt presence of, the nature of, or the very existence of God is somewhat less clear than we might expect if God existed. As with the problem of evil, there is no single argument from hiddenness. Rather, there is a whole family of arguments united by these ideas. We begin our new hiddenness series with a broad introduction to that family.2023-10-1823 min
Bits and Bytes by ByteworksBits and Bytes: Episode 8 - Interagency Operability in Emergency Management featuring Ben WatkinsBen Watkins is Area 8 Coordinator / DPR6 Executive Director NC DPS - Emergency ManagementWith three different regions with distinctive challenges - it's still safety first in North Carolina for Ben Watkins. Learn how different parts of North Carolina deal with differing ordeals!Hurricanes, Wildfires, Flooding, and excessive snowfall...These make for quite a perilous and challenging occupation in Emergency Management.Ben Watkins shares how they utilize old-school tactics and new technology to accomplish diverse goals with many states, agencies, and organizations.PLUS:Meet Charlie Williams f...2023-10-0531 min
Real AtheologyRA042: Kenny Pearce on Arguments and How to Have Them ProductivelyThis is our second discussion with philosopher doctor Kenny Pearce. In this episode we pick up the conversation by discussing Pearce's thoughts on the practice of apologetics in contrast to philosophy. This led to a consideration of what arguments for or against God may need to be retired or deemphasized. In particular, Pearce explains why the moral argument isn't the most promising argument in the theist's bag. We end by discussing strategies for making dialogues in the philosophy of religion more productive, especially between theists and atheists.2023-07-191h 42
Real AtheologyRA041: Joe Campbell on Hume's Refutation of the Cosmological ArgumentIn this episode Ben Watkins continues his series on Hume with a look at section IX of Hume's Dialogue's Concerning Natural Religion. Section IX finds Hume's Demea, Philo, and Cleanthes presenting and subjecting to analysis a cosmological argument for the existence of God. Ben and Dr. Joe Campbell discuss the argument as presented and the various criticisms that Hume brings to bear through his three characters.
Dr. Joe Campbell's paper on Section IX of the Dialogues.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/400269842023-07-041h 13
Real AtheologyRA040: Jeffrey Jay Lowder on Philosophy of ReligionIn this episode, Justin Schieber sits down with Jeffrey Jay Lowder for a wide-ranging interview. Fans of the show will no doubt be familiar with Jeff's work. From founding Infidels.org and the Secular Outpost to his contributions to The Empty Tomb and his several public debates, Jeff has earned his reputation as a fair-minded and philosophically informed atheist. We discuss the origin of infidels.org, Paul Draper's famous argument from Pain and Pleasure and everything in between.
See Jeff's debate with Phil Hernandez
See Jeff's debate with Kevin Vandergriff
See Jeff's debate w...2023-06-1858 minReal AtheologyRA039: Matthew Adelstein on Utilitarianism and TheismIn this episode, Ben Watkins sits down with Matthew Adelstein to discuss utilitarianism and theism. Utilitarianism, in its classical forms, claims that what we morally ought to do is act in ways that would maximize happiness and minimize suffering. This simple moral calculus is open to several important objections, but if true, has important consequences for theism as traditionally conceived. If God morally should create a world that maximizes happiness and minimize suffering, as would be the case if hedonistic act utilitarianism were true, then we are clearly not talking about the actual world. There could be much more...2023-06-0442 minReal AtheologyRA038: Debate: Schieber and Hernandez on the Existence of God.This debate was between Christian apologist Eric Hernandez and atheist podcaster Justin Schieber. The event was organized by Capturing Christianity and held on May 6, 2023 at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, TX. Visit capturingchristianity.com for this and similar events.2023-05-162h 21
Dunewich On DirtEp.022 Ben WatkinsBen Watkins joins todays show and talks about his strong start to his 2023 season with host Evan McCrory. We talked about some dream races and if he would chase a Carolina Clash championship again. Don’t forget to follow @DunewichOnDirt on all social medias and follow Ben Watkins Racing on Facebook!2023-05-1234 minReal AtheologyRA037: Bill Vanderburgh on Misinterpretations of Hume’s Of MiraclesAs a follow up to the last episode which gave a general overview of Hume's famous essay, Ben Watkins interviews philosopher Dr. Bill Vanderburgh on his 2019 book David Hume on Miracles, Evidence, and Probability. The conversation explores some of the reasons the text is often misinterpreted. The importance of placing Hume in his historical context is emphasized in response to common objections.
Get Dr. Vandenburgh's excellent book here: https://www.amazon.com/David-Hume-Miracles-Evidence-Probability-ebook/dp/B07PV79RRL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UDWN1IY3TMUE&keywords=vanderburgh+hume+miracles&qid=1682108975&sprefix=vanderburgh+hume+miracle%2Caps%2C341...2023-04-2136 minReal AtheologyRA036: Ben Watkins on Hume Against the Believability of MiraclesIn this episode, Real Atheology co-host Ben Watkins takes us on a tour through parts one and two of Hume's controversial essay 'Of Miracles'. Ben begins by providing context that serves to undercut some popular but ultimately uncharitable readings of Hume's central thesis. With the infamous argument clarified, other common objections are also explored.2023-04-081h 07
Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)From Intern to President in 8 Years - How Eric Watkins Hustled his Way to the Top at Abstrakt Marketing GroupEric Watkins shares his inspiring story of how he went from an intern to President of Abstrakt Marketing Group in just eight years. You’ll discover the challenges he faced, the strategies he used, and the lessons he learned along the way. Find out how he hustled his way to the top and find inspiration for your own career journey.Eric was awarded the Workforce Magazine’s Game Changer award, and in 2022 was honored as one of St. Louis's 100 Titans.Abstrakt Marketing Group is based in St. Louis, MO and is a business growth agency serv...2023-04-0639 minReal AtheologyRA035: Andrew Pavelich on the Moral Problem with the Free Will DefensePerhaps the most common response to the problem of evil is an appeal to the goodness of free will. Free will, it is argued, is so good that it justifies God's policy of non-intervention in cases where evil is the result of the free actions of moral agents. in his 2019 article published in The Heythrop Journal titled The Moral Problem with the Free Will Defense Against the Problem of Evil, Dr. Andrew Pavelich argues that there exists a deep disconnect between the theist's appraisal of free will's value and the role it plays in our everyday moral judgements. In...2023-03-261h 18
Real AtheologyRA034: Kenny Pearce on Protestantism, Catholicism, and ApologeticsIn the second part of Ryan's interview with Dr. Kenny Pearce, they discuss some of the issues surrounding the debate between Protestantism and Catholicism. In the second half the discussion turns to the issue of apologetics and whether there exists a clean distinction between it and philosophy of religion.2023-03-1057 minReal AtheologyRA033: Kenny Pearce on Fruitful Dialogue and the History of PhilosophyIn this first part of Ryan Downie’s interview with Dr. Kenny Pearce, strategies for productive dialogue with those who hold opposing views are discussed. The conversation then turns to discussing the value of historical approaches to philosophy. Finally, they discuss Leibniz contributions to philosophy of religion and the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to cosmological arguments.2023-02-241h 24
Songwriters on ProcessSara Watkins of Nickel CreekI first interviewed Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek in 2013, and this latest conversation reminded me why she is one one of my favorite interviews. The thoughtfulness and introspection she brings to this discussion are wonderful.No matter the art you create, this episode is for you. We didn't focus on the practical aspects of the songwriting process nearly as much as we talked about Creativity (with a capital C): why we create and what it does to us when we do. Where does the urge come from? When is the drive the strongest? For Watkins, the ideal...2023-02-2349 minReal AtheologyRA032: Dustin Crummett on Harmony and HiddennessIn this, the second half of Justin's interview with Dr. Dustin Crummett, they discuss an early paper of his in which he expands on an objection to the argument from divine hiddenness. The objection, known as the responsibility objection, claims that one reason God might have to keep belief from non-resistant persons is the good of the responsibility on the part of some in helping others learn truths of and about God. We also touch on his recent work on the argument from psychophysical harmony.2023-02-1149 minReal AtheologyRA031: Dustin Crummett on Suffering, Spiders, and SimulationsIn this episode, Justin Schieber interviews philosopher Dr. Dustin Crummett (dustincrummett.com, https://www.youtube.com/@dustin.crummett, @Dustin_Crummett). Dr. Crummett received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2018, and specializes in social and political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion. In this first of two episodes, we discuss Dr. Crummett's fascinating work relating to the problem of evil.2023-01-271h 00Real AtheologyRA030: Michael Hemmingsen on Soul-Making and Social ProgressIn this episode, returning host Justin Schieber interviews Dr. Michael Hemmingsen on his 2020 paper titled Soul-Making and Social Progress which was published in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. John Hick's Soul-Making theodicy, according to which suffering exists to provide opportunities to develop our moral virtue, is a popular response to the problem of evil. In his paper, Dr. Hemmingsen argues that advocates of John Hick's Soul-Making theodicy are thereby committed to opposing social progress.2023-01-1337 min
Product AgilityWhy a Seat At The Table Makes THE Difference to An Agile Transformation - Saloni Seth-Watkins Part 1 of 2Send us a textSaloni Seth-Watkins has an agile experience that sets her apart from 99% of the agile crowd.She's been a consultant at one of the BIG 5, helped build successful companies from the ground up, has the unique experience of using agile in the aviation industry AND also been Director of Performance & Talent at one of Europe's most recognisable big banks.What did we talk about? Let's find out 🛫 Why good will and good intentions wont make you agile and how governance cna help. 💣💣SAY WHAT?!💣💣 🛫Should we have sympathy f...2022-10-2728 min