Cosmological Argument Flashcards
What 3 questions does the cosmological argument try to answer?
How did the universe begin?
Why was the universe created?
Who created the universe?
What is the cosmological argument?
An argument that seeks to prove the existence of God based on the starting point that there is a universe rather than nothingness
What does cosmos mean?
The world or universe as a perfect and well-ordered system. (Opposite of chaos)
A posteriori
An argument based on the idea that things can be proved based on experience. Opposite of a priori argument where things are knowable independently of experience
The God of classical theism is…
Eternal and separate from the universe. God created and is outside time and space. ETERNAL, IMMUTABLE, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPOTENT
What does the term necessary existence mean?
When applied to God refers to the eternal and transcendent nature of God. God exists outside time and pace but is able to act within it. If God did not exist in this way then believers would say we would not exist either
What is an efficient cause?
A cause that is capable of performing an action and bringing about the desired result
What is a final cause?
The reason for something to be brought about
Define teleology
Philosophical explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than the causes believed to be behind them
What’s the cosmological argument also referred as?
‘First cause argument’
What does the term supremely perfect mean?
To have all the perfections
Infinity
Eternity; time without end
What does potentiality mean?
The inherent but undeveloped capabilities and possibilities of someone or something for development or change
What does actuality mean?
A state of being, the reality of something at this moment in time
What does the term sufficient reason mean?
An adequate reason that explains the cause of an event, in this case the origin or the universe
What does contingency mean?
An event or condition that depends on something else, which may or may not happen. Things do not contain the reason for their existence but depend on external causes. Exist but could just as easily not
Define ontological
Ontology is the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being
What does the term temporal mean?
Relates to worldly rather than spiritual matters
Define induction
A method of reasoning where a conclusion is reached by linking observation of cause(s) and effect(s) to draw a conclusion.
Define philosophical logic
The study of the more specifically philosophical aspects of logic
Define fallacy of composition
The error that concluded that since the parts have a certain property, the whole likewise has that property
Define creationism
The belief that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine creation, as in the biblical account, rather than by natural processes such as evolution
Define kalam
Arabic term meaning to ‘argue’ or ‘discuss’
Muslim scholars al -Kindi and al Ghazali developed the kalam argument to explain God’s creation of the universe. Seeks to prove that God was the first cause of the universe
Define actual infinite
Set theory. Refers to sets or collections of things with an infinite number of members. It is not growing towards infinity, it is infinite already. A part within the actual infinite set is equal to the whole set.
Define potential infinite
Exists if it is always possible to add one more to a series of things or events. It is possible to think of the future as a potential infinite, because more events are always being added to history
Define ex nihilo
Derived from Latin meaning ‘out of nothing’
Define natural theology
Knowledge of God which is obtained by reason alone, without the aid of revelation
Define fideism
An idea that religious beliefs cannot be justified by rational means, only through faith
What does Pope John Paul II say?
Can’t just be ‘chance’ that the universe came into existence as it is so complex. It’s like admitting effects without a cause
Aristotles cosmological argument
All movement depends on there being a mover
Includes change e.g. growth, melting, cooling
Chain of events behind every movement
‘Common source’ for all substance
‘Unmoved mover’
Prime mover is perfect - God
Did not create universe
Did not sustain universe
Did not act in the universe
God had no interest in the universe
What did Gottfried Leibniz say?
Developed an argument for sufficient reason. (An adequate reason that explains the cause of an event, in this case the origin of the universe)
Define ‘in fieri’
Causes things to become what they are but, having started the process, is no longer involved.
Describe ‘in ease’
Think of lightbulb
A cause that brings a thing into being and the cause must be sustained for that thing to continue
