Cosmological Argument

Question 1

What are the key features of the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

• Evidence from the physical world to prove God exists
• The universe cannot be explained without reference to causes & factors outside itself
• A posteriori

Question 2

Explain the 1st way - From Motion explained by Aquinas in Summa Theologica

Answer 2

• Nothing can move itself, it needs to be moved by something else
• There can be an infinite chain of movers that has no beginning
• There must be a first mover that causes motion in all things
• The first mover we call God

Question 3

Explain the 2nd way - From Cause explained by Aquinas in Summa Theologica

Answer 3

• All things are caused
• Nothing can be its own cause
• Therefore there must be a 1st cause (God) on which all other causes depend
• God is therefore the 1st cause of all things

Question 4

Explain the 3rd way - From Necessity & Contingency explained by Aquinas in Summa Theologica

Answer 4

• Everything in the universe is dependent upon factors beyond itself (contingent)
• Those factors themselves depend upon other factors
• There must be a necessary being (God) that is dependent on nothing
• Therefore God exists necessarily not contingently