Cosmological Argument Flashcards
What is the cosmological argument?
It argues that Everything is caused by something else, and therefore must rely on an independent necessary being
What does contingent mean?
Things that could or could not exist
What does ‘existential proposition’ mean?
Statements above existence
What does ‘Infinite regression’ mean?
The idea that the chain of causes and effects goes back infinitely and never ‘began’
What does ‘Necessary’ mean?
Things that must exist in order for other things to exist
What does ‘Necessary Link’ mean?
A connection between a cause and an effect that must be there and can be seen
If we have no experiences of universes being made…
…then how can we postulate what made this one.
What should we expect the creator to be like?
He should be like his creation
name 4 Philosophers who were involved in this argument
Hume- 18th Century
Kant- 18th century
William of Ockham- 13-14th Century
John Mackie- 20th Century
What did Hume believe?
There is no empirical evidence for God, so God cannot be a viable conclusion for creation
what did William of Ockham challenge Aquinas on?
3 points
- infinite regression is logically possible
- There was no necessary link between cause and effect
- Assumption of individual deity
What did Kant reject?
He rejected the idea of necessary existence in Anselm’s onto argument
What was John Mackie’s view on God?
If there is one necessary being then why not another?
