The net is already abuzz with the news of Antony Flew’s switch. I first read about it from Jonathansink. Also, the interview in Philosophia Christi is fascinating. Habermas pushes Flew about his position on the possibility of the after-life. Flew consistently returns to Butler’s statement that “Memory may reveal but cannot constitute personal identity.” Flew also has kind words for Lewis (an “eminently reasonable man”) and the Wesley brothers, while issuing (surprisingly) strong condemnations of Islam.
“Conversions” (in a non-religious sense) by major philosophical figures are an encouraging reminder that some philosophers (at least) do not have philosophical axes to grind, but are genuinely seeking the Truth. One thinks of Laurence BonJour’s move from coherentism to foundationalism as another such “earthshaking” reversal. Flew may still be wrong, but he is consistent and, what’s more, gentlemanly in his pursuit. The latter virtue seems lost on many of those for whom Flew has been an icon for. One needn’t spend long over at Infidels.org to discover the venemous and vitriolic condecension toward all things theistic (or Deistic!) shared by many participants.
Oh, and kudos to Philosophia Christi for the write-up and the subsequent publicity. Subscribe today–there is no better or more relevant journal for the philosophy of religion.
