Do the arguments for God cohere? An analysis of inter-argument relations and the application of Thagard’s model of explanatory coherence

Abstract

This article provides a theoretical analysis of classical arguments for the existence of God within a coherentist epistemological framework. Although classical foundationalists have treated these arguments as self-sufficient proofs, this study employs a dual analytical method to examine their rational plausibility as a mutually integrated system of justification. The conceptual examination of inter-argument consistency is assessed through a logical internal assessment, and the cumulative plausibility of the arguments is evaluated through Thagard’s model of explanatory coherence. The first part investigates the internal coherence of the arguments, while the second part applies Paul Thagard’s model of explanatory coherence to determine how the arguments collectively satisfy the explanatory conditions.
Contribution: The results substantiate that the arguments for the existence of God form a substantially coherent network, providing a logically robust justification.