Epistemology: 04. Descartes' Cosmological Argument

Question 1

What is Descartes’ Trademark Argument?

Answer 1

An argument for the existence of God based on intuition and deduction, stating:
* I have the idea of a perfect being
* This idea must have a cause since nothing can be causeless
* A cause must be at least as real as its effect
* Therefore, something at least as perfect as my idea caused it
* Therefore, such a thing exists, which is God.

This argument emphasizes the necessity of a perfect cause for the idea of perfection that exists in the mind.

Question 2

What fundamental question do cosmological arguments typically ask?

Answer 2

‘Why does anything exist’?

Question 3

What method does Descartes use to explore existence?

Answer 3

He doubts the existence of everything before offering his cosmological argument.

Radical skepticism

Question 4

What key distinctions does Descartes make regarding causes?

Answer 4

• Sustaining Cause
• Temporal Cause

Question 5

What is the follow-up argument concerning Descartes’ existence?

Answer 5

I am a thinking thing and I have the idea of God. There must be as much reality in the cause as in the effect (Ontological argument).

Question 6

What are the two possibilities regarding what causes Descartes’ existence?

Answer 6

• The cause is the cause of its own existence
• Its existence is caused by another cause

Question 7

What conclusion can be drawn about the sequence of causes?

Answer 7

There cannot be an infinite sequence of causes (infite regress fallacy )

Question 8

What is the ultimate cause of Descartes’ existence according to his argument?

Answer 8

God.

Question 9

What is a summarized version of the Cosmological Argument?

Answer 9

Some cause is needed to keep me in existence. There cannot be an infinite chain of causes because what caused me also causes my continued existence in the present. Therefore, God exists.

Question 10

Can Descartes’ arguments be doubted using the method of doubt?

Answer 10

Yes, some may object that continued existence is simply dependent on the immediately preceding state of affairs.

Question 11

What assumption is challenged regarding continued existence?

Answer 11

This assumes my existence is my body’s existence.

Question 12

What misunderstanding is addressed regarding continued existence?

Answer 12

My continued existence doesn’t require a cause because nothing changes.

Question 13

What example illustrates the necessity of a sustaining cause?

Answer 13

My sitting on a chair is continually caused by gravity and the rigidity of the chair.

Question 14

What is a Sustaining Cause?

Answer 14

The cause that keeps one in existence through time.