Critical Analysis of Graham Oppy's Criteria for a Successful Argument

Document Type : علمی - پژوهشی

Author

PhD student, Philosophy of Religion, University of Tehran

10.48308/kj.2025.241540.1355

Abstract

This article critically analyzes Graham Oppy’s criteria for evaluating "successful arguments" in the philosophy of religion. Oppy, a contemporary philosopher, provides a methodological framework to distinguish compelling arguments from unsuccessful ones, which includes criteria such as the acceptability of premises, explanatory power, and resistance to criticism. The aim of this research is to critically analyze this approach and examine its strengths and weaknesses. This article argues that although Oppy’s framework is useful for structuring philosophical debates and enhancing argumentative rigor, his criteria may be overly stringent and could, in practice, render metaphysical arguments vulnerable to refutation. Furthermore, this approach tends to justify belief rather than provide definitive proof, and in some cases, it overlooks the complex and intuitive nature of theological arguments. Ultimately, by providing a comprehensive assessment, this article demonstrates that while Oppy’s criteria can be used as a valuable analytical tool, they cannot, on their own, determine the fate of all arguments in the philosophy of religion and require reassessment and modification.

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References

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Shenakht
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 91
November 2025
Pages 145-164

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 11 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 October 2025

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