Cosmological Argument

Question 1

Cosmological Argument

Answer 1

Argument for the existence of God starting with observations from the existence of the universe

Question 2

Infinite regress

Answer 2

a chain of events going backwards forever

Question 3

Aquinas’ Three ways

Answer 3

1- Motion
2- Cause
3- Necessity and Contingency

Question 4

Contingent

Answer 4

Depends on something else for its existence; can cease to exist

Question 5

Necessary

Answer 5

Must exist, cannot not exist - hold its reason for being within itself

Question 6

Fallacy of Composition

Answer 6

what is observed of the parts cannot be assumed to be the same for the whole

Question 7

Argument from Motion - Way One

Answer 7

• Nothing can move or change by itself
• There cannot be infinite regress
• There must be an unmoved mover which in itself cannot be moved or changed
• The unmoved mover is therefore God

Question 8

Argument from Cause - Way Two

Answer 8

• Nothing can be its own cause
• There cannot be an infinite regression (change) of causes
• There must be a first cause which itself is uncaused
• The uncaused causer is God

Question 9

Argument from Contingency

Answer 9

• Everything in the universe is contingent
• There must be a time when nothing existed
• How can something come from nothing
• There must’ve been a different type of being, a necessary being
• This necessary being is God

Question 10

Hume’s Criticism; empirical evidence

Answer 10

We can only observe a limited amount and should not make the assumption that cause and effect apply to anything outside of our actual experience - Humes inductive argument (empirical data collected through experience to make probable conclusions

Question 11

Humes Criticism; Fallacy of Composition

Answer 11

just because the parts within a universe have a cause, it doesnt mean that the whole has a cause

Question 12

Humes Criticism; infinite regress

Answer 12

why not accept the possibility of infinite regress? It is possible the chain of causes has no beginning - Mackie supports this with his infinite hooks, each linked to the previous one

Question 13

Russel; Fallacy of Composition

Answer 13

Why does their have to be a cause behind everything? Just because each human has a mother doesnt mean that there must be the mother for an entire human race

Question 14

Leibniz Supported - Principle of Sufficient Reason

Answer 14

the universe needs a complete explanation as to why it exists, an old book was copied from the previous book which was copied from the previous one etc, even when you get to the first there is still no complete reason why - same applied for the universe