Exam Cards - Cosmological Argument

Question 1

Which three words describe the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

Inductive, a posteriori, and synthetic.

Question 2

What is the main argument of the cosmological argument?

Answer 2

The existence of the universe is proof of God’s existence.

Question 3

Which philosopher is most associated the cosmological argument?

Answer 3

Thomas Aquinas.

Question 4

Which three of Aquinas’ Five Ways is used within the cosmological argument?

Answer 4

1) Nothing can move itself 2) Nothing can cause itself 3) Contingent beings require necessary beings

Question 5

Outline the First Way.

Answer 5

• Nothing can move itself, yet things are in motion
• Therefore, there must be a first mover that causes motion in all things
• This first mover is God

Question 6

Outline the Second Way.

Answer 6

• All things are caused, since nothing can be their own cause
• Therefore, there must be a first cause on which all other causes depend
• This first cause is God

Question 7

Outline the Third Way.

Answer 7

• Everything we see is dependent upon factors beyond itself, and thus is contingent
• Because all beings are contingent, there must be a necessary being which all contingent beings rely on for existence
• This necessary being is God

Question 8

What does the cosmological argument reject?

Answer 8

Infinite regression.

Question 9

What is the principle of sufficient reason.

Answer 9

The argument from Leibniz that even if the universe had always been in existence, it would still require an explanation, or sufficient reason.

Question 10

Which philosopher established the railway carriage analogy?

Answer 10

Mackie.