Kyle R Alander | California State University, Sacramento (original) (raw)
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Conference Presentations by Kyle R Alander
The structural project asks: what probabilities are basic? The substantive project asks: how are ... more The structural project asks: what probabilities are basic? The substantive project asks: how are the values of these basic probabilities determined? Epistemic probability: Orthodoxy vs Explanationism Orthodox Bayesianism ❖ Basic probabilities are the unconditional probabilities of complete worlds ❖ The intrinsic probability of a world is the total number of claims it makes (modesty, coherence) Only some probabilities are conditional How We View Epistemic Probabilities ■ Probabilities are mind-independent support relations between propositions.-Pr(A|B) is the degree to which B supports A, and the unconditional probability of A as the degree to which A is supported by a priori truths or tautologies (Climenhaga 2022). ■ Positive Relevance = df e is evidence for h if and only if p(h|e) is greater than p(h), that is, if and only if e raises the probability of h above what it was when e was not taken into account (Roush 2003).
Papers by Kyle R Alander
This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of heaven, which offers a comp... more This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of heaven, which offers a comprehensive theological perspective on the Beatific Vision and eternal union with God. The DDP model posits that heaven, hell, and purgatory are differentiated experiences of God's unchanging presence, with heaven being the ultimate experience of divine love and fulfillment. The model emphasizes relational participation in the life of the Trinity, infinite progression in knowledge and love, and communal union with God and the saints. This vision of heaven reflects an eternal deepening in the soul's understanding and love of God, while retaining the soul's individuality and capacity for eternal growth.
In my book The Educative Matrix, an objection arises concerning the integration of an axiological... more In my book The Educative Matrix, an objection arises concerning the integration of an axiological theory (K) into theistic belief (T). Critics argue that if K has an extremely low independent probability () = , it could potentially reduce the intrinsic probability of theism. This note addresses the objection by first explaining the initial contradiction that seems to arise when combining T and K. Then, by employing the Transitive Natural Theology (TNT) framework and emphasizing the role of the Ultimate Goodness Principle (UGP) within the Stype World (S), we demonstrate that the intrinsic probability of theism remains unaffected. This is achieved by recognizing that K is not independent but is constrained by the UGP, ensuring that () is not intrinsically improbable relative to the UGP. We also reinterpret confirmation rule 2 in light of this framework.
This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of hell, offering a refined pe... more This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of hell, offering a refined perspective that integrates theological tradition with contemporary philosophical thought. The DDP model posits that heaven, purgatory, and hell are not separate locations but different experiences of God's unchanging presence, perceived according to each soul's moral and spiritual state. For the blessed, this presence is the Beatific Vision, a state of ultimate joy. For the damned, it is experienced as divine wrath, the natural consequence of their rejection of God's love. The model introduces the concept of natural happiness for the damned-a state of contentment within the natural order, reflecting a life that is good on the whole despite eternal separation from supernatural joy. Through this framework, the DDP model offers a nuanced understanding of divine justice, emphasizing that even in damnation, God's love and justice ensure that every soul's existence remains meaningful and aligned with their freely chosen path.
The structural project asks: what probabilities are basic? The substantive project asks: how are ... more The structural project asks: what probabilities are basic? The substantive project asks: how are the values of these basic probabilities determined? Epistemic probability: Orthodoxy vs Explanationism Orthodox Bayesianism ❖ Basic probabilities are the unconditional probabilities of complete worlds ❖ The intrinsic probability of a world is the total number of claims it makes (modesty, coherence) Only some probabilities are conditional How We View Epistemic Probabilities ■ Probabilities are mind-independent support relations between propositions.-Pr(A|B) is the degree to which B supports A, and the unconditional probability of A as the degree to which A is supported by a priori truths or tautologies (Climenhaga 2022). ■ Positive Relevance = df e is evidence for h if and only if p(h|e) is greater than p(h), that is, if and only if e raises the probability of h above what it was when e was not taken into account (Roush 2003).
This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of heaven, which offers a comp... more This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of heaven, which offers a comprehensive theological perspective on the Beatific Vision and eternal union with God. The DDP model posits that heaven, hell, and purgatory are differentiated experiences of God's unchanging presence, with heaven being the ultimate experience of divine love and fulfillment. The model emphasizes relational participation in the life of the Trinity, infinite progression in knowledge and love, and communal union with God and the saints. This vision of heaven reflects an eternal deepening in the soul's understanding and love of God, while retaining the soul's individuality and capacity for eternal growth.
In my book The Educative Matrix, an objection arises concerning the integration of an axiological... more In my book The Educative Matrix, an objection arises concerning the integration of an axiological theory (K) into theistic belief (T). Critics argue that if K has an extremely low independent probability () = , it could potentially reduce the intrinsic probability of theism. This note addresses the objection by first explaining the initial contradiction that seems to arise when combining T and K. Then, by employing the Transitive Natural Theology (TNT) framework and emphasizing the role of the Ultimate Goodness Principle (UGP) within the Stype World (S), we demonstrate that the intrinsic probability of theism remains unaffected. This is achieved by recognizing that K is not independent but is constrained by the UGP, ensuring that () is not intrinsically improbable relative to the UGP. We also reinterpret confirmation rule 2 in light of this framework.
This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of hell, offering a refined pe... more This paper presents the Differentiated Divine Presence (DDP) model of hell, offering a refined perspective that integrates theological tradition with contemporary philosophical thought. The DDP model posits that heaven, purgatory, and hell are not separate locations but different experiences of God's unchanging presence, perceived according to each soul's moral and spiritual state. For the blessed, this presence is the Beatific Vision, a state of ultimate joy. For the damned, it is experienced as divine wrath, the natural consequence of their rejection of God's love. The model introduces the concept of natural happiness for the damned-a state of contentment within the natural order, reflecting a life that is good on the whole despite eternal separation from supernatural joy. Through this framework, the DDP model offers a nuanced understanding of divine justice, emphasizing that even in damnation, God's love and justice ensure that every soul's existence remains meaningful and aligned with their freely chosen path.