Cosmological argument

Question 1

Who proposed the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

St Thomas Aquinas- a famous monk and theologian

Question 2

Is this argument a priori or a posteriori?

Answer 2

A posteriori ( meaning based on experience)

Question 3

What is Aquinas’ first way?

Answer 3

An argument from motion or change
-All things are in a state of change
-Everything is a secondary mover
-There must be infinite regress if everything is secondary mover
-If the point above is correct, there is no Prime Mover, without a prime mover there can be no secondary therefore, the point is false as infinite regress is impossible (reductio ad absurdum)
Therefore- there must be a Prime mover, this is God

Question 4

Quote from Aquinas

Answer 4

The chain of movers cannot go on to infinity because then there would be no first mover and consequently no other mover

Question 5

What is Aquinas’ second way?

Answer 5

An argument from causation

• There is an order of efficient causes.
• No efficient cause can cause itself.
• If there is infinite regress then there is no First Cause.
• If the point above is true then there can be no subsequent causes. Infinite regress is impossible. (The reductio ad absurdum technique.)
• Therefore there must be a first cause of everything. This we call “God”.