The existence of God is the most discussed and perhaps the most important question in philosophy.

For the majority of the world's population, God provides meaning, morality, metaphysics and hopefully

salvation. A rich history of scholarship defending God's existence

has meant theism has long been considered a reasonable worldview. However, with the rise of

secularism and the new atheist movement, a fiery and passionate debate has ensued, one of

science versus religion. Our question, can the two be reconciled? In this episode, we'll be discussing God's existence with one of contemporary philosophy's

most influential thinkers, Professor Richard Swinburne.

Best known for his great trilogy of books, the coherence of theism, the existence of God,

and faith and reason, Professor Swimberin's impact on philosophy of religion has been enormous, from high school classrooms to university halls.

Every teacher knows his name and every student must wrestle with his work.

According to Swinburne, Theism is the friend and not the enemy of science.

For God explains everything that we observe, from the universe's existence and the

scientific laws which operate within it, to its extraordinary miracles and conscious creatures.

If we want a complete explanation of the universe, says Swimburn, then science needs God.

Music Hello and welcome to episode 102 of the Panseye cast. I'm the infinitely simple simple Jack Symes and I'm joined once again by the

card shuffling maniac that is Mr. Olly Marley. Hello. And the man made of two parts, Professor Richard

Swinburne. Hello. Welcome to the show, Richard. It's a pleasure to have you on. And the first

question we ask all of our guests is a nice easy one to start.

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of the deepest questions there are of what is the explanation of there being a universe,

what is the explanation of it having the laws of nature that it has and having the human beings and other conscious beings within it? It asks the question of what are the fundamental

moral principles, how ought we to behave, and in effect all as it were the necessary truths of any universe and all the contingent

...