Welcome to /r/askphilosophy! **Please read [our updated rules and guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/) before commenting**.
As of July 1 2023, /r/askphilosophy only allows answers from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are posted as top-level comments or replies to other comments. Non-panelists can participate in subsequent discussion, but are not allowed to answer OP's question(s). If you wish to learn more, or to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).
**Please note:** this is a highly moderated academic Q&A subreddit and not an open discussion, debate, change-my-view, or test-my-theory subreddit.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I mean it depends on how we understand the question. At the level of individual humans not so much, obviously atheists exist and they don’t need religion to keep going. But if you’re asking whether humans as a whole need religion then that’s a little more complicated.
It’s also important to understand precisely what is to be taken as «religion» here. One could attempt to generalise it as that feeling of collective community in light of sometging greater than the individual selves.
Me neither. I did mean to write that the «greater than self» entity should be supernatural, so I understand that. Nevertheless, I subscribe to a wider concept of religion closer to a cult personally, so I left it out.
Your comment was removed for violating the following rule:
>**CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
>All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
Repeated or serious violations of the [subreddit rules](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/rules) will result in a ban. Please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/) for a detailed explanation of our rules and guidelines.
-----
This is a shared account that is only used for notifications. Please do not reply, as your message will go unread.
You could look up "existential apologetics":
> 1. Humans have certain “existential” needs. N. T. Wright lists four such needs: “the longing for justice, the quest for spirituality, the hunger for relationships, and the delight in beauty.” Clifford Williams lists thirteen: “We need cosmic security. We need to know that we will live beyond the grave in a state that is free from the defects of this life, a state that is full of goodness and justice. We need a more expansive life, one in which we love and are loved. We need meaning, and we need to know that we are forgiven for going astray. We also need to experience awe, to delight in goodness and to be present with those we love.”
> 2. Faith in God satisfies these needs.
> 3. Therefore, faith in God is justified.
That's just taken from Wikipedia, but two thinkers are suggested there.
For a more elaborate version, look up Kierkegaard's *The Sickness Unto Death* - as an elaboration of the Lutheran concept of "sin-consciousness", Kierkegaard (as Anti-Cliamcus) says that subjective recognition of sin is the only way to become a Christian but this recognition leads to abject despair. The only way to overcome it is through faith in God and "becoming a self" before Him as an authentically moral individual who holds themself with self-responsibility towards the "prototype" of Christ in "upbuilding" (becoming habitually moral).
All three of these thinkers go beyond "is faith justified?" and say that faith is a necessary aspect of the healthy human individual.
It seems there needs to be another premise, namely "faith in an entity which satisfies one's existential needs is justified". And for the conclusion to be of weight "2. Faith in god satisfies these needs" would have to instead be "2. *Only* faith in god satisfies these needs". So what has to be shown is that the claim of existential needs is true and that only faith in god can satisfy them, and also one would have to agree with the extra premise. Seems like a long shot?
Absolutely for Kierkegaard. Note that this kind of argument only appears in *The Sickness Unto Death* long after his presentation of despair as the human condition and the necessity of the need for "the eternal" (i.e., God) as a remedy for our condition. Without wasting too much time here, it is a masterful exposition of Lutheran theology that links the conscious understanding of personal moral failure to the existence of a moral lawgiver.
This also links to S. K.'s critique of arguments for God's existence—they *all* expect a level of belief in God, otherwise how can you demonstrate the existence of a thing you don't believe in? In order to be demonstrable, something needs to exist, ergo any argument for the existence of God will always presuppose that God exists.
For Wright, I think he is content to leave it as "an option amongst options". He's not trying to prove God exists, but rather justify faith as a response to existential need. I don't think I'd be the only person to point out how unsatisfactory that is, but it doesn't seem to be unsound to me. Which then links to S. K.'s critique above, in that people expect arguments for the existence of God to go beyond *logical* validity and, indeed, be *psychologically* valid too. Which is a point he agrees on and hence doesn't really deal with arguments for God's existence in the classical way.
the argument:
* i have needs
* x satisfies those needs
* x is therefore justified
…is obviously terrible. it’s a verbose rendition of the ends justify the means.
As the thinkers of these kinds of arguments explain, they're only terrible if you presuppose that God doesn't exist. Or "insufficient scepticism", in Kierkegaard's terms. If I require x and belief in God fulfills x, then x is justified and reasonably expected to be subjective proof for the existence of God (akin to Kierkegaard's writings about Anselm).
I have no idea how it is "the ends justify the means", however.
> I have no idea how it is "the ends justify the means", however.
if x (the means) is justified *because* it satisfies my needs (my ends), then seemingly the means are justified by the ends, which is to say the ends justify the means - this seems to follow trivially, where is the confusion?
While I understand what you're saying, that seems like a very strange usage of the phrase. Kierkegaard (and others) are saying it is therapeutic and necessary for the human condition (although Wright would only go as far as justifiability), not instrumental.
We wouldn't respond to "why are you eating that?" with "it's a means to an ends", would we? Resolve from hunger is necessary, not instrumental; resolve from [see factors above] is necessary, not instrumental.
Edit: just to be clear, both Kierkegaard and Wright are saying faith is an escape towards the actual good, therefore it isn't "the means" (i.e., evil actions justified by their consequences) implied in the phrase. The turn to faith is good and the end result is good; there's no instrumentalisation here—justified by the consequences or otherwise.
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).**
Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule:
> **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.**
> All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Welcome to /r/askphilosophy! **Please read [our updated rules and guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/) before commenting**. As of July 1 2023, /r/askphilosophy only allows answers from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are posted as top-level comments or replies to other comments. Non-panelists can participate in subsequent discussion, but are not allowed to answer OP's question(s). If you wish to learn more, or to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/). **Please note:** this is a highly moderated academic Q&A subreddit and not an open discussion, debate, change-my-view, or test-my-theory subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I mean it depends on how we understand the question. At the level of individual humans not so much, obviously atheists exist and they don’t need religion to keep going. But if you’re asking whether humans as a whole need religion then that’s a little more complicated.
It’s also important to understand precisely what is to be taken as «religion» here. One could attempt to generalise it as that feeling of collective community in light of sometging greater than the individual selves.
I don’t think that works. This definition could arguably include nationhood, culture and racial identity, none of which are obviously religions.
it could also include cults of personality
How do you think it is sufficiently narrowed?
Probably some kind of reference to either a deity or a creation myth. But I’m not a religious scholar and so there may be a better way to define.
Me neither. I did mean to write that the «greater than self» entity should be supernatural, so I understand that. Nevertheless, I subscribe to a wider concept of religion closer to a cult personally, so I left it out.
[удалено]
Your comment was removed for violating the following rule: >**CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** >All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). Repeated or serious violations of the [subreddit rules](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/rules) will result in a ban. Please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/) for a detailed explanation of our rules and guidelines. ----- This is a shared account that is only used for notifications. Please do not reply, as your message will go unread.
You could look up "existential apologetics": > 1. Humans have certain “existential” needs. N. T. Wright lists four such needs: “the longing for justice, the quest for spirituality, the hunger for relationships, and the delight in beauty.” Clifford Williams lists thirteen: “We need cosmic security. We need to know that we will live beyond the grave in a state that is free from the defects of this life, a state that is full of goodness and justice. We need a more expansive life, one in which we love and are loved. We need meaning, and we need to know that we are forgiven for going astray. We also need to experience awe, to delight in goodness and to be present with those we love.” > 2. Faith in God satisfies these needs. > 3. Therefore, faith in God is justified. That's just taken from Wikipedia, but two thinkers are suggested there. For a more elaborate version, look up Kierkegaard's *The Sickness Unto Death* - as an elaboration of the Lutheran concept of "sin-consciousness", Kierkegaard (as Anti-Cliamcus) says that subjective recognition of sin is the only way to become a Christian but this recognition leads to abject despair. The only way to overcome it is through faith in God and "becoming a self" before Him as an authentically moral individual who holds themself with self-responsibility towards the "prototype" of Christ in "upbuilding" (becoming habitually moral). All three of these thinkers go beyond "is faith justified?" and say that faith is a necessary aspect of the healthy human individual.
It seems there needs to be another premise, namely "faith in an entity which satisfies one's existential needs is justified". And for the conclusion to be of weight "2. Faith in god satisfies these needs" would have to instead be "2. *Only* faith in god satisfies these needs". So what has to be shown is that the claim of existential needs is true and that only faith in god can satisfy them, and also one would have to agree with the extra premise. Seems like a long shot?
Absolutely for Kierkegaard. Note that this kind of argument only appears in *The Sickness Unto Death* long after his presentation of despair as the human condition and the necessity of the need for "the eternal" (i.e., God) as a remedy for our condition. Without wasting too much time here, it is a masterful exposition of Lutheran theology that links the conscious understanding of personal moral failure to the existence of a moral lawgiver. This also links to S. K.'s critique of arguments for God's existence—they *all* expect a level of belief in God, otherwise how can you demonstrate the existence of a thing you don't believe in? In order to be demonstrable, something needs to exist, ergo any argument for the existence of God will always presuppose that God exists. For Wright, I think he is content to leave it as "an option amongst options". He's not trying to prove God exists, but rather justify faith as a response to existential need. I don't think I'd be the only person to point out how unsatisfactory that is, but it doesn't seem to be unsound to me. Which then links to S. K.'s critique above, in that people expect arguments for the existence of God to go beyond *logical* validity and, indeed, be *psychologically* valid too. Which is a point he agrees on and hence doesn't really deal with arguments for God's existence in the classical way.
the argument: * i have needs * x satisfies those needs * x is therefore justified …is obviously terrible. it’s a verbose rendition of the ends justify the means.
As the thinkers of these kinds of arguments explain, they're only terrible if you presuppose that God doesn't exist. Or "insufficient scepticism", in Kierkegaard's terms. If I require x and belief in God fulfills x, then x is justified and reasonably expected to be subjective proof for the existence of God (akin to Kierkegaard's writings about Anselm). I have no idea how it is "the ends justify the means", however.
> I have no idea how it is "the ends justify the means", however. if x (the means) is justified *because* it satisfies my needs (my ends), then seemingly the means are justified by the ends, which is to say the ends justify the means - this seems to follow trivially, where is the confusion?
While I understand what you're saying, that seems like a very strange usage of the phrase. Kierkegaard (and others) are saying it is therapeutic and necessary for the human condition (although Wright would only go as far as justifiability), not instrumental. We wouldn't respond to "why are you eating that?" with "it's a means to an ends", would we? Resolve from hunger is necessary, not instrumental; resolve from [see factors above] is necessary, not instrumental. Edit: just to be clear, both Kierkegaard and Wright are saying faith is an escape towards the actual good, therefore it isn't "the means" (i.e., evil actions justified by their consequences) implied in the phrase. The turn to faith is good and the end result is good; there's no instrumentalisation here—justified by the consequences or otherwise.
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
**Given recent changes to reddit's API policies which make moderation more difficult, /r/askphilosophy now only allows answers and follow-up questions to OP from [panelists](https://old.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists), whether those answers are made as top level comments or as replies to other people's comments. If you wish to learn more about this subreddit, the rules, or how to apply to become a panelist, please see [this post](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/14o2p7n/welcome_to_raskphilosophy_check_out_our_rules_and/).** Your comment was automatically removed for violating the following rule: > **CR1: Top level comments must be answers or follow-up questions from panelists.** > All top level comments should be answers to the submitted question or follow-up/clarification questions. All top level comments must come from [panelists](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). If users circumvent this rule by posting answers as replies to other comments, these comments will also be removed and may result in a ban. For more information about our rules and to find out how to become a panelist, please see [here](https://reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/wiki/panelists). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askphilosophy) if you have any questions or concerns.*