Cosmilogical argument

Question 1

The Cosmological argument

Answer 1

Cosmological arguments attempt to justify the conclusion that God exists as the required explanation of the existence of the universe.

Question 2

Aquinas first way of motion

Answer 2

Premise 1: We see things move.
Premise 2: Motion requires a mover.
Premise 3: An infinite chain of movers is impossible.
Conclusion: There must be a first mover (God), unmoved and pure actuality.

Question 3

Aquinas’ Second Way (Atemporal Causation)

Answer 3

Premise 1: We see causes and effects.
Premise 2: Nothing can cause itself.
Premise 3: Causes form a logical order with a first cause.
Conclusion: There must be a first uncaused cause (God).

Question 4

Key Point about Aquinas’ Ways

Answer 4

Focus on the logical dependency of causes, not necessarily temporal order.
God is the first cause in the sense of being ontologically necessary, not chronologically first.

Question 5

Cosmological Arguments vs A Priori Arguments

Answer 5

Cosmological arguments rely on experience (a posteriori)

A priori arguments rely on reason alone, independent of experience.

Question 6

Efficient Causation

Answer 6

Explains change through cause-and-effect relationships.

A cause brings about an effect that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

Aquinas uses efficient causation to argue for a first cause (God).

Question 7

Potential vs. Actual (Key Concept)

Answer 7

Potential: Something has the capacity to become something else.

Actual: Something is already what it has the potential to be.

Aquinas uses this distinction to explain why a mover must be actual.