Copleston V Russel

Question 1

When was the debate?

Answer 1

1948

Question 2

Who held the debate?

Answer 2

BBC Radio

Question 3

Copleston believed that the cause of the universe is God. What would Russel say to this?

Answer 3

Universe is just there (brute fact), it is an explanation in itself. Russel will not accept the terminology!

Question 4

What does Copleston accuse Russel of doing?

Answer 4

Says that he is “refusing to sit down at the chessboard”

Question 5

How does Russel disagree with the argument that there has to be a cause?

Answer 5

The fallacy of composition - there does not need to be a a cause, we cannot link an unobservable cause with an observable end.

Question 6

What comparison did Russel use?

Answer 6

Cannot infer that the whole human race has a mother so therefore why are we assuming that we have a God?
However, Copleston would argue that you MUST look for an explanation and sufficient reason.
however, Russel did not see the point of any explanation.

Question 7

Copleston: God is necessary
Russel:

Answer 7

if everything requires an explanation, what is the explanation for God?