Cosmological Argument Flashcards

0
Q

Aquinas’ starting quote

A

“To take away the cause (God) is to take away the effect (the universe)”

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1
Q

3 Premises & Conclusion

A

Nothing happens by itself
Universe has a cause
Only a God can cause a universe
As universe exists, God must exist

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2
Q

First Way - Prime Mover & Motion in the Broadest Sense

A
Movement of other things
Potentiality-Actuality
E.g wood
Chain of events behind movement
No infinite regression
First unmoved mover
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3
Q

Second Way - First cause

A
Everything needs a cause
No infinite regression
Must be uncaused first cause
Omnipotent
E.g person
Ex-nihilo
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4
Q

Third way - Necessary Being

A
Everything contingent
Must be time when nothing existed
Nothing comes from nothing
External cause of universe
Eg painter
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5
Q

Define infinite regression

A

Chain of causes and effects going back for eternity

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6
Q

Define ex-nihilo

A

Something out of nothing

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7
Q

Define contingent

A

Dependant on something else for its existence

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8
Q

Ockham’s Razor (strength)

A

Slices irrelevant details cuts to most likely answer
“entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily”
Simplest conclusion most likely answer
God created universe: simplest answer so most likely

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9
Q

A Posteriori (strength)

A

Existing evidence
Draws on cause & effect - we can experience
Also solution for universe

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10
Q

God of Revealed Theology (strength)

A

‘The creator of mankind and the universe’ - Genisis 1, John 1

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11
Q

Big Bang Theory (strength)

A

Must have reason for it

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12
Q

Hume (weakness)

A

Why creator? Simpler to argue for universe without one
Empiricist
No connection cause & effect. Imagination
Observed world & considered universe existence - separate events - mind made connection; Made inductive leap

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13
Q

Kant (weakness)

A

Empiricist
Cause for everything only applies to world of sense experience
Cannot apply to something not experienced
God outside time & space
No justification for conclusion

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14
Q

Anthony Kenny (weakness)

A

Aquinas: nothing moves itself

But animals & people move themselves

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15
Q

Big Bang Theory (weakness)

A

Could be first cause

16
Q

Define empiricist

A

Believe all knowledge comes from senses

17
Q

Steady State Theory (weakness)

A

Energy can’t be destroyed/created, only transferred

Universe eternal & expanding

18
Q

Copleston (for)

A

Everything contingent
‘Reason external to itself’
Sufficient reason for existence, this is adequate explanation
‘God is his own sufficient reason’

19
Q

Russell (against)

A

No point in questioning existence of universe

20
Q

Russell’s ‘Brute Fact’ argument (weakness)

A

Universe just is
Asking for explanation of existence of everything is asking for answer not fully understandable
Universe exists, requires no further explanation

21
Q

Kalam argument

A

Universe not actual infinite
Present is result of past successive addition
Successive addition - potentially infinite
Universe had beginning
Whatever began has cause, things can’t cause themselves

22
Q

Define actual infinite

A

Complete at all times
Can’t add or subtract as it would not be infinite
E.g library with infinite number of books

23
Q

Define potential infinite

A

Always possible to add to it

E.g future

24
Q

Define successive addition

A

Events following on from each other

25
Q

Fideism

A

Religious belief can only be justified through faith

26
Q

Define faith

A

Complete & utter belief and trust in something

Physical evidence is not needed