New God Argument Version 1.0

If basic life forms are probable then we should trust that advanced civilizations are probable. If any advanced civilization probably has increased in destructive capacity faster than defensive capacity, and if any advanced civilization probably creates many worlds like those in its past, then we should trust that an advanced civilization more benevolent than us probably created our world. The alternative is that we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization.

The Faith Position

For practical reasons, we should trust that we probably will not go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization.

[F1 assumption]
we probably will not go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization

The Angel Argument

If basic life forms are probable then we should trust that advanced civilizations are probable.

[A1 assumption from the Great Filter Argument]
EITHER basic life forms are improbable
OR we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization
OR advanced civilizations are probable

[A2 assumption]
basic life forms are probable

[A3 deduction from A1 and A2]
EITHER we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization
OR advanced civilizations are probable

[A4 deduction from A3 and F1]
advanced civilizations are probable

The Creation Argument

If any advanced civilization probably creates many worlds like those in its past then we should trust an advanced civilization probably created our world.

[C1 assumption from the Simulation Argument]
EITHER we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization
OR any advanced civilization probably does not simulate many worlds like those in its past
OR an advanced civilization probably simulated our world

[C2 generalization of C1]
EITHER we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization
OR any advanced civilization probably does not create many worlds like those in its past
OR an advanced civilization probably created our world

[C3 assumption]
any advanced civilization probably creates many worlds like those in its past

[C4 deduction from C2 and C3]
EITHER we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization
OR an advanced civilization probably created our world

[C5 deduction from C4 and F1]
an advanced civilization probably created our world

The Charity Argument from Angels

If any advanced civilization probably can stop the advance of any less advanced civilization in reach then the extent of our advance probably indicates the minimum benevolence of any advanced civilization in reach.

[CA1 assumption]
EITHER advanced civilizations are improbable
OR any advanced civilization probably cannot stop the advance of any less advanced civilization in reach
OR the extent of our advance probably indicates the minimum benevolence of any advanced civilization in reach

[CA2 assumption]
any advanced civilization probably can stop the advance of any less advanced civilization in reach

[CA3 deduction from CA1 and CA2]
EITHER advanced civilizations are improbable
OR the extent of our advance probably indicates the minimum benevolence of any advanced civilization in reach

[CA4 deduction from CA3 and A4]
the extent of our advance probably indicates the minimum benevolence of any advanced civilization in reach

The Charity Argument from Faith

If any advanced civilization probably has increased in destructive capacity faster than defensive capacity then we should trust any advanced civilization probably is more benevolent than us.

[CF1 assumption]
EITHER any advanced civilization probably has not increased in destructive capacity faster than defensive capacity
OR any advanced civilization probably is more benevolent than us
OR we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization

[CF2 assumption]
any advanced civilization probably has increased in destructive capacity faster than defensive capacity

[CF3 deduction from CF1 and CF2]
EITHER any advanced civilization probably is more benevolent than us
OR we probably will go extinct before becoming an advanced civilization

[CF4 deduction from CF3 and F1]
any advanced civilization probably is more benevolent than us

The Charity Argument from Creation

If any advanced civilization probably creates many worlds like those in its past then any advanced civilization that created our world probably acts toward us with at least as much benevolence as it expects any advanced civilization that created its world should act toward it.

[CC1 assumption]
EITHER an advanced civilization probably did not create our world
OR any advanced civilization probably does not create many worlds like those in its past
OR any advanced civilization that created our world probably acts toward us with at least as much benevolence as it expects any advanced civilization that created its world should act toward it

[CC2 deduction from CC1 and C3]
EITHER an advanced civilization probably did not create our world
OR any advanced civilization that created our world probably acts toward us with at least as much benevolence as it expects any advanced civilization that created its world should act toward it

[CC3 deduction from CC2 and C5]
any advanced civilization that created our world probably acts toward us with at least as much benevolence as it expects any advanced civilization that created its world should act toward it

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
• New God Argument Version 4.0