Date
3-2017
Department
School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Chair
Daniel R Mitchell
Keywords
Aesthetics, Beauty, Darwinism, God's Existence, Naturalism, Supernaturalism
Disciplines
Biblical Studies | Comparative Methodologies and Theories | Other Religion | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Davis, Walter, "Humanity's Capacity to Apprehend Aesthetic Value as an Argument for God's Existence" (2017). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 1359.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/1359
Abstract
This work presents a theistic argument for the existence of God based on man’s ability to apprehend, aesthetic value. The argument is called the Aesthetic Theistic Argument. Man’s ability to appreciate aesthetic value is unique among biological life forms and is common to every human culture. Explaining the origins of this ability implies a creator/designer who also apprehends aesthetic value. The study both affirms the argument for theism and critiques the philosophical and scientific foundations of Darwinian naturalism. The result of this study affirms the cause for man’s capacity to apprehend aesthetic value is best explained by the existence of God as revealed in Holy Scriptures and the person of the Lord Jesus.
Included in
Biblical Studies Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
