Argument from Hiddenness: Exploring the Question of God's Absence

Question 1

What is a potential implication of the Argument from Hiddenness for religious belief?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to doubt or skepticism regarding the existence of God.

Answer

It has no impact on religious belief.

Answer

It strengthens faith by demonstrating God's power.

Question 2

Who is credited with first proposing the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

Epicurus

Answer

Plato

Answer

Augustine

Answer

Descartes

Question 3

Which of the following is a fundamental assumption of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

The existence of a God with specific attributes, such as omnipotence and benevolence

Answer

The problem of free will

Answer

The nature of human suffering

Answer

The existence of evil

Question 4

Who is widely regarded as the philosopher who first formulated the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

Antony Flew

Answer

Richard Dawkins

Answer

John Hick

Answer

William James

Question 5

What is the logical structure of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

If an all-powerful and loving God exists, he would not remain hidden from us. However, God is hidden. Therefore, an all-powerful and loving God does not exist.

Answer

If God does not exist, he would hide himself from us. However, God is hidden. Therefore, God exists.

Answer

If God exists, he would reveal himself to us. However, God has not revealed himself. Therefore, God does not exist.

Question 6

How does the Argument from Hiddenness challenge the traditional concept of God?

Accepted Answer

It suggests that a God who is both all-powerful and benevolent would not remain concealed from his creation.

Answer

It provides evidence for the existence of multiple gods.

Answer

It implies that God is primarily concerned with human affairs.

Question 7

Which of the following is a limitation of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It relies on a specific definition of God and may not be applicable to all conceptions of the divine.

Answer

It has been empirically disproven by scientific evidence.

Answer

It only applies to the Christian understanding of God.

Question 8

In what way can the Argument from Hiddenness be relevant to the discussion of atheism?

Accepted Answer

It offers a logical argument against the existence of a God who possesses certain attributes, such as omnipotence and benevolence.

Answer

It suggests that God is indifferent to human suffering.

Question 9

Which thinker has proposed a response to the Argument from Hiddenness based on the concept of 'divine hiddenness'?

Accepted Answer

John Hick

Answer

Antony Flew

Answer

Richard Dawkins

Answer

William Paley

Question 10

Which of the following can be considered a strength of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It is based on the premise of divine omnipotence and benevolence, which are foundational attributes of God in many religious traditions.

Answer

It has been universally accepted by all philosophers throughout history.

Answer

It does not rely on any specific religious scriptures or doctrines.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

An argument that questions why God, if he exists, would choose to remain hidden from human experience.

Answer

An argument that proves the existence of God based on the hiddenness of the natural world.

Question 12

What is a key assumption of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God, if he exists, would want to be known by humans.

Answer

Human reason is the only reliable source of knowledge about God.

Answer

God is inherently unknowable and beyond human comprehension.

Question 13

Which of the following is a potential objection to the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God's hiddenness might be necessary for human freedom and moral development.

Answer

God's hiddenness is a sign of his wrath towards humanity.

Answer

God's hiddenness is proof of his existence.

Question 14

What does the 'argument from silence' refer to within the context of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

The idea that God's absence from human experience is itself evidence against his existence.

Answer

The silence of religious texts on the question of God's hiddenness.

Answer

The absence of any objective proof of God's existence.

Question 15

How does the Argument from Hiddenness relate to the concept of faith?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the idea that faith can be solely based on personal experience or revelation.

Answer

It confirms the superiority of faith over reason in understanding God.

Answer

It argues that faith is the only way to know God.

Question 16

Which philosopher is most closely associated with the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

John Hick

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

Thomas Aquinas

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 17

What does the 'hiddenness' of God refer to in the context of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

The lack of direct, demonstrable evidence of God's intervention in human affairs.

Answer

The mystery surrounding God's nature and attributes.

Answer

The inability of humans to fully comprehend God's infinite wisdom.

Question 18

How does the Argument from Hiddenness differ from the Argument from Design?

Accepted Answer

The Argument from Hiddenness focuses on the absence of evidence for God, while the Argument from Design focuses on the existence of order and complexity in the universe.

Answer

The Argument from Hiddenness is based on reason, while the Argument from Design is based on faith.

Question 19

Which of the following statements best reflects a possible response to the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God's hiddenness allows for genuine faith and free will.

Answer

God's hiddenness is a punishment for human sin.

Answer

God's hiddenness is proof of his non-existence.

Question 20

The Argument from Hiddenness is primarily concerned with which aspect of God's nature?

Accepted Answer

God's relationship with humanity.

Answer

God's eternity.

Answer

God's omnipotence.

Answer

God's immutability.

Question 21

According to the Argument from Hiddenness, what is the problem with an all-powerful and loving God?

Accepted Answer

His absence and lack of interaction with the world

Answer

His lack of desire for human worship

Answer

His unwillingness to reveal his true nature

Answer

His inability to prevent evil

Question 22

Which philosopher is known for his reformulation of the Argument from Hiddenness as the 'Problem of Evil'?

Accepted Answer

Epicurus

Answer

Descartes

Answer

Kant

Answer

Aquinas

Question 23

What is a common objection to the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God's hiddenness may be necessary for human freedom and moral responsibility.

Answer

Humans are inherently incapable of understanding God's reasons.

Answer

God's hiddenness is a punishment for human sin.

Question 24

How does the Argument from Hiddenness relate to the issue of miracles?

Accepted Answer

It questions the need for miracles if God is truly all-powerful.

Answer

It suggests that miracles are proof of God's hiddenness.

Answer

It undermines the credibility of miracles reported in religious texts.

Question 25

What is a possible response to the claim that God's hiddenness is necessary for human freedom?

Accepted Answer

Human freedom could still exist even if God were more actively involved in the world.

Answer

Human freedom is an illusion, and God controls all our actions.

Answer

God's hiddenness is the only way to ensure human autonomy.

Question 26

Which of the following is a strength of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It challenges traditional conceptions of God.

Answer

It is universally accepted by all religious and non-religious people.

Answer

It provides definitive proof against the existence of God.

Answer

It is based on irrefutable scientific evidence.

Question 27

What is the significance of William James' concept of 'the hidden God' in relation to the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It suggests that God's hiddenness may be a necessary condition for his existence.

Answer

It proves that God is essentially unknowable and distant.

Answer

It undermines the validity of the Argument from Hiddenness.

Question 28

How does the Argument from Hiddenness impact our understanding of the role of faith in religion?

Accepted Answer

It emphasizes the importance of faith in the absence of empirical evidence for God's existence.

Answer

It undermines the necessity of faith and promotes rationalism.

Answer

It has no implications for the role of faith in religion.

Question 29

What is a key limitation of the Argument from Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It relies on a particular definition of 'hiddenness' that may not be universally accepted.

Answer

It ignores the subjective experiences of religious individuals.

Answer

It is based on flawed logical reasoning.