Cosmological Argument

Question 0

Aquinas’ starting quote

Answer 0

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

Question 1

3 Premises & Conclusion

Answer 1

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

Question 2

First Way - Prime Mover & Motion in the Broadest Sense

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Second Way - First cause

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Third way - Necessary Being

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define infinite regression

Answer 5

Chain of causes and effects going back for eternity

Question 6

Define ex-nihilo

Answer 6

Something out of nothing

Question 7

Define contingent

Answer 7

Dependant on something else for its existence

Question 8

Ockham’s Razor (strength)

Answer 8

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

Question 9

A Posteriori (strength)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

God of Revealed Theology (strength)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Big Bang Theory (strength)

Answer 11

Must have reason for it

Question 12

Hume (weakness)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Kant (weakness)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Anthony Kenny (weakness)

Answer 14

Aquinas: nothing moves itself

But animals & people move themselves

Question 15

Big Bang Theory (weakness)

Answer 15

Could be first cause

Question 16

Define empiricist

Answer 16

Believe all knowledge comes from senses

Question 17

Steady State Theory (weakness)

Answer 17

Energy can’t be destroyed/created, only transferred

Universe eternal & expanding

Question 18

Copleston (for)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Russell (against)

Answer 19

No point in questioning existence of universe

Question 20

Russell’s ‘Brute Fact’ argument (weakness)

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Kalam argument

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Define actual infinite

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Define potential infinite

Answer 23

Always possible to add to it

E.g future

Question 24

Define successive addition

Answer 24

Events following on from each other

Question 25

Fideism

Answer 25

Religious belief can only be justified through faith

Question 26

Define faith

Answer 26

Complete & utter belief and trust in something

Physical evidence is not needed