New God Argument Version 3.1

Below is version 3.1 of the New God Argument. This version appears in “What is Mormon Transhumanism?,” published today in the peer reviewed journal of Theology and Science.

This formulation is closer to version 2.0 than version 3.0. Version 3.1 restores approximations of the Faith Assumption and Benevolence Argument as formulated in version 2.0. But it maintains the new subtitle switch from “Benevolence Argument” to “Compassion Argument” that I introduced in version 3.0. Version 3.1 also includes some minor syntax adjustments, as recommended by editors of Theology and Science.

Summary

The New God Argument is an argument for faith in God, or trust in post-humanity that may qualify as God in some religions. The argument does not prove that God exists. Rather, the argument proves that if humanity does not become extinct before evolving into superintelligent post-humanity then, given assumptions consistent with contemporary science and technological trends, superintelligent post-humanity probably is more compassionate than us and probably created our world. The only alternative is that humanity probably will become extinct before evolving into superintelligent post-humanity. In other words, the New God Argument shows that trust in our own superintelligent potential may entail faith in God; and conversely, reasons for skepticism about God may be reasons for skepticism about our own superintelligent potential.

Faith Assumption

[F1 assumption] humanity will not become extinct before evolving into superintelligent post-humanity

Compassion Argument

[CO1 assumption] EITHER humanity probably will become extinct before evolving into superintelligent post-humanity OR superintelligent post-humanity probably would not have more destructive capacity than humanity OR superintelligent post-humanity probably would be more compassionate than us

[CO2 assumption] superintelligent post-humanity probably would have more destructive capacity than humanity

[CO3 deduction from CO1, CO2, and F1] superintelligent post-humanity probably would be more compassionate than us

Creation Argument

[CR1 assumption] EITHER humanity probably will become extinct before evolving into superintelligent post-humanity OR superintelligent post-humanity probably would not create many worlds emulating its evolutionary history OR superintelligent post-humanity probably created our world

[CR2 assumption] superintelligent post-humanity probably would create many worlds emulating its evolutionary history

[CR3 deduction from CR1, CR2, and F1] superintelligent post-humanity probably created our world

God Conclusion

[G1 deduction from CO3 and CR3] BOTH superintelligent post-humanity probably would be more compassionate than us AND superintelligent post-humanity probably created our world

New God Argument

The New God Argument has evolved since Joseph West and I first formulated it in 2008. Along the way, I've simplified its language, published numbered versions, presented it at conferences, and responded to critics. The articles below trace that evolution in chronological order. I maintain the latest public formulation of the argument on the New God Argument website.

• New God Argument Version 1.0
• The New God Argument Begins
• The New God Argument and Heaven for the Non-Religious
• New God Argument Version 2.0
• Theological Implications of the New God Argument
• Trust in Posthumanity and the New God Argument
• New God Argument Version 3.0
• New God Argument Version 3.1
• New God Argument Version 3.2
• New God Argument Version 3.3
• Potential Is Origin in Religious Transhumanism
• Response to a New God Argument Critique by Killian
• New God Argument Version 3.4
• The New God Argument Evolves
• Jesus Christ in the New God Argument
• Marek Wójtowicz on the New God Argument