Existence of God

Question 1

What is the alternative name for the cosmological argument

Answer 1

• The first cause argument

Question 2

What is the cosmological argument

Answer 2

• Nothing can exist without a cause
• Therefore the universe must have a cause
• This cause must be the “first cause” - it must have been something that existed before and needs no cause

Question 3

Strengths of the cosmological argument

Answer 3

• Uses scientific reasoning
• Possibly proves infinity to be an absurd notion
• We understand the world as cause and effect
• Based on physical evidence

Question 4

Weaknesses of the cosmological argument

Answer 4

• God needs a cause and explanation
• Hard to explain beyond our experience
• Why does it have to be God
• We don’t need to explain the Universe

Question 5

What is the teleological argument

Answer 5

• Nature is infinitely complex
• Must have an infinitely greater designer

Question 6

Define intelligent design

Answer 6

• certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.

Question 7

Define Occam’s razor

Answer 7

• A problem-solving principle that states that the simplest explanation is usually the best

Question 8

How does Occam’s razor apply to the design argument

Answer 8

• Instead of attempting to quantify God’s existence and saying that God is finitely powerful, it is easier to say that God is infinitely powerful

Question 9

How does intelligent design relate to the design argument

Answer 9

• Infinitely intelligent features must have been created by an infinitely intelligent god