Cosmological Argument

Question 1

who created cosmological argument

Answer 1

Aquinas - 13th century

Question 2

what does cosmos mean

Answer 2

universe

Question 3

book called?

Answer 3

Summa Theologica
putting forward 5 ways to prove existence of God

Question 4

what is argument

Answer 4

a posteriori
inductive

Question 5

what is the argument from contingency

Answer 5

1. if things exist now there must be a time when they didn’t
2. as the cosmos is contingent there must be tome when it wasn’t here
3. if this is true nothing would exist now as there would be noting to bring into existence
4. as things do exist now - must be something which brought everything into existence which is necessary

Question 6

what is the argument from infinite regress

Answer 6

1. there has been an infinite regress of contingent things
2. there can’t be an infinite regress of contingent things it is illogical - without a first ultimate cause to the seers of contingent things - no series at all
3. must be an ultimate uncaused necessary being responsible

Question 7

who reformulated aquinas
who didn’t agree

Answer 7

copleston
Russell had radio debate
the universe is not explainable in the way Copleston wants

Question 8

who created and what is the principle of suffient reason

Answer 8

Leibniz - explain should include why and how things exist

Question 9

who formulated the Kalam argument

Answer 9

William lane Craig
arguing actual infinite regress can’t exist
see in modern times as strong as need for a necessary being in explaining universe

Question 10

how is the cosmological argument proof for God - 1 point

Answer 10

1. Gerry Hughes argues we do accept other kinds of proof based on reasonable conclusions
   such as science - it existence of sub atomic particles. no one has observed a quarks for evidence of existence - people accept

Question 11

what is the cosmological argument value for faith - 4

Answer 11

1 the necessary being argued for by Aquinas does not have to be the God of classical theism
2. aquinas sows faith is supported by reason
3. it is accessible and understandable
4. alternative explanations are no more probable

Question 12

what is a general strength for cosmological argument

Answer 12

1. ancient argument - still being used and reformulated
2. a posteriori - based on experience
3. uses rational philosophy to support this claim
4. Swinburnes cumulative weight argument - no one argument for God is convincing it needs cumulative weight of all the arguments in favour of Gods existence

Question 13

what is occams razor?
what is its counterargument

Answer 13

simplest explanation usually right one
principle of sufficient reason - better to be served by a non caused necessary being than by the universe itself

Question 14

what are Humes challenges against cosmological argument? 4

Answer 14

1. fallacy of composition - just because everything has a cause doesn’t mean a universe has a cause
   e.g. all the bricks in the wall are small - therefore wall must be small
2. things could be self causing. universe may have caused itself and be necessary being
3. infinite regress is a possibility with Aquinas’ conclusion one could ask ‘what caused God’
4. a necessary being doesn’t have to be the Gd of classical theism

Question 15

what are Russells challenges against cosmological argument - 3

Answer 15

5. whilst every human has a mother ‘obviously the human race hasn’t a mother that’s a different logical sphere’
6. statements about universe are synthetic - we can only talk about things we experience. we haven’t experienced creation of it so can’t talk about it
7. universe is unexplainable - just a brute fact

Question 16

what are the counterarguments for cosmological

Answer 16

1 +5 - the wall is made of bricks so wall is brick - not fallacious. wall has same quality. everything is contingent the universe is contingent need not be flawed
2. Big Bang argues universe has beginning - demands explanation. Leibniz as god is outside contingent nature only he can provide answer
3. kalham - actual infinite can’t exist in reality
4. undeniable - no reason why its shouldn’t be God
6 Examples of scientists speaking of quarks proves not case
7. scientists don’t accept such an answer