Arguments from observation Flashcards
Name the two observational theories theories
Cosmological and teleological
Define ‘natural theology’
Drawing conclusions about the nature and existence of God by using reason and observing the world
Define ‘contingent’
Being dependent on something
Define the ‘principle of sufficient reasoning’
The principle that everything must have an explanation
Define ‘sceptic’
Someone who challenges the claims of others
Define ‘A posteriori’
Drawing conclusions based on observations from experience
Define ‘necessary existence’
A being that doesn’t depend on anything but itself to live
Define ‘A priori’
Drawing conclusions through logic and reason
Define ‘logical fallacy’
Reasoning who’s structure is flawed
Finish the quote by Romans 1:19-20 “Since what may be known about God is plain to them…
Because God has made it plain to them… God’s invisible qualities… have been clearly seen… People are without excuse”
What is the basis of teleological arguments?
The example or order, beauty and purpose in this world means there must be a designer outside of the universe
What is the aim of Aquinas’ Quinque viae?
To show how reason and faith could work together because there are two ways of knowing God, through revelation and natural theology
What is Aquinas’ fifth way?
Nature has order and purpose to it, nothing is inanimate without a ‘guiding hand’ e.g. a bow and arrow without an archer
Use the example of the river to explain the meaning of Aquinas’ fifth way
A river does not flow into the sea because it chooses too because it doesn’t have the mind to choose too and so the guiding hand is God
Finish the quote from Aquinas “Whatever lacks knowledge cannot…
Move towards an end unless it be directed… to their end and this being we call God”
Describe William Paley’s teleological argument
Someone walking on a heath saw a watch on the ground and noticed its intricate design, they had then concluded it must have had a maker and this is similar for the human body and earthly processes
According to Paley, what else depicts God’s nature and existence?
His loving nature is shown in the adaptations of animals and their unique abilities
What is the basis of the cosmological argument?
The universe cannot account for its own existence and so there must be a reason why it exists but because the world is contingent, its creator must be outside of time and space
The first three of Aquinas’ five ways are based on what two assumptions?
1 - the universe exists
2 - there must be a reason why the universe exists
Name and describe the Aquinas’ first way
An unmoved mover: the ways in which objects grow, move and change in composition cannot be part of an infinite regress, there must be a being that first started motion
Give a quote from Aquinas to describe the first of the five ways
“Nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality except by something in a state of actuality… everyone understands to be God”
What is the emphasis of Aquinas’ first way?
Dependency rather than finding the beginning by using the idea that God sustains life and the cosmos as we would not have a universe without something first beginning motion
Name and describe Aquinas’ second way
The uncaused causer - instead of the concept of motion, the idea is that the chain of cause and effect cannot be an infinite regress
Which of Aristotle’s causes supports the second way? Give a quote as evidence
The efficient cause - the activity that causes something to exist or be
“It is necessary to admit a first efficient cause to which everyone gives the name God”
