Abstract

One of John Locke's most influential discussions in philosophy of religion concerns the relationship between faith and reason. This chapter discusses John Locke's views on arguments for God's existence. It examines his criticisms of Descartes’ ontological argument, and explains Locke's own cosmological argument. The chapter then focuses on the related issue of God's uniqueness and examines Locke's proofs for the unity of God. It considers Locke's views on the ladder of being and man's place in the world. Locke's view that human beings are quite limited with respect to their faculties and knowledge brings up a problem concerning God's goodness and justice, which is discussed in the chapter. The chapter further examines Locke's accounts of the relation between faith and reason, and revelation and miracles. Locke's epistemology comes to the forefront and the chapter explains how his epistemic modesty extends even to matters of faith.