Expert: Austin Cline - 8/8/2003

Question
How do you react to this statement: If a man is so intelligent and feels that he knows everything... he forgets that there is God.

Answer
My reaction depends upon why the statement is being made (the context). If it, as it sounds, is offered as a pithy way of trying to get someone to believe in a god, then:

1. It assumes that a god exists, which is exactly the question at issue. Therefore, it commits the fallacy of Begging the Question.

2. It suggests that intelligent atheists think that they know everything and that is why they are atheists. This is an ad hominem fallacy known as the "Genetic Fallacy." It also qualifies as an abusive ad hominem.

3. It assumes that there are good reasons to believe in a god and that the person just "forgot," another critical issue and, hence, another example of Begging the Question.

4. It assumes that the person believed in a God earlier, which often isn't the case.

Thus, my reaction is likely: insofar as this statement is trying to say anything important, it does so fallaciously and therefore doesn't deserve to be paid much attention to.