Cosmological Argument Flashcards
What is this argument?
An umbrella term for distinct arguments that draw on the fact that the cosmos exist rather than doesn’t, providing evidence for the existence of tap transcendent creator
What is st Thomas aquinas cosmological argument? First way
Whatever is in motion is out into motion by something else , there must be a first mover that can’t move itself (prime mover)
What is st Thomas aquinas cosmological argument? Second way
There is an order of efficient causes, the thing can’t become before the efficient cause
It is impossible to go to infinity
What is st Thomas aquinas cosmological argument? Third way
Necessity and possibility
If everything is oissible not to be. It is possible that there was a time that nothing existed. If this were true, then even now there would be nothing existed, because whatever doesn’t exist begins to exist through something that already exists, therefore there must be something where existence is necessary.
What does St Thomas aquinas cosmological argument show about god?
Uncaused cause, not dependent on anything else, the reason for there being something rather than nothing
What is the sufficient reason argument?
Leaving no doubt that god exists
All things must have a complete reason or cause
How is the suffuepcjdnt reason argument explained?
For any entity that exists, there is a sufficient reason to explain the occurrence of the event.
For every sentence that’s true, there is a sufficient reason to why it’s true.
What is the Kalam cosmological argument?
1) everything 5at begins to exists has a cause
2) the universe Began to exist because of the big band, we know that there cannot be an ‘actual infinite regress’ because then you wouldn’t be able to add to it.
(grand hotel paradox - it’s absurd to add another guest to a fully occupied hotel and the absurd result that the hotel has the same number of guests before and after)
3) the universe has a cause - the cause of the universe must be uncaused bevause there cannot be infinite regress if causes. This cause is timeless and space less.
Challenges
Possibility of infinite regress: Hans Reichanbach argued that time could be infinite in both directions, like the number chain, so why do we assume something began the chain?
Challenges
Aristotle distinguished between actual and potential infinities
Potential- can be added to but not infinitely
Actual-cantbe added to
Challenges
Necessary existence is incoherent
Some people argue that there cannot be a necessary being, something that is required by the third way and the principle of sudpfficient reason,
Challenges
The fallacy of begging the question
Question begging - when one assumes as true a fundamental, but questionable why should things have a sufficient reason
Challenges
The illegitimacy of concluding with god
Why does the being at the start of this chain have to be god?
