Prager University is offering its newest course, focused on God and morality, in time for the contemplative holiday season.  The video class is from the Religion/Philosophy Department and features Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, who takes on the critical questions related to morality and offers some challenging answers.

Prager University: If Good and Evil Exist, God Exists

“Good and evil are not the difference between I like and I don’t like,” notes Kreeft. He then does an in-depth review of the five theoretical sources of morality offered by atheists, and disproves each one using logic and historical examples:

• Evolution
• Reason
• Conscience
• Human Nature
• Utilitarianism

During the video lecture, he cites the history of slavery, “which was accepted but is not acceptable”, as an example that disproves several of these rationales.  Kreeft also notes that, “human nature is the reason we need morality.”

The Boston College professor then compares and contrasts moral laws with physical laws.  Moral laws concern “what aught to be” and direct human nature.

“The existence of morality is something beyond nature, that is supernatural,” says Kreeft. “Whenever you appeal to morality, you are appealing to God.”

Kreeft is an expert on talking about God and morality, and makes it accessible to everyone.  He has written 67 books on topics ranging from theology, philosophy, history and ethics, to surfing.  The books include Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters and Jesus Shock.  He also  partnered with Ronald K. Tacelli, SJ, a series of essays:  Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God.