Existence of God - Based on Observation - Key Words Flashcards
Teleological Argument
Argument is cast in terms of the end (telos) or purpose of something
Final Cause
Aristotles idea of the ultimate purpose of a thing
Design Argument
Any argument which attempts to demonstrate that the patterns found in nature are explicable only by reference to a cosmic designer
Enlightenment
A term used to refer to a period of intellectual enquiry, where people believed all problems could be resolved by unaided human reason, without recourse to authority or religion.
Epicurean thesis
Theory that the universe is made up of a finite number of particles moving freely in infinite time in all possible combinations and therefore order in the universe may be randomly explained
Anthropic Principle
The view that the universe exists for the sake of humankind and is particularly adapted to that purpose
Apologetics
Theological attempts to defend the Christian faith
What is Ockhams razor
Refers to the idea that theories should not be multiplied beyond necessity, the theory with the smallest number of assumptions is the one that is likely to be correct
What is a Cosmological Argument?
Argument for the existence of God based on Gods alleged ability to create the universe
Prime Mover
- for Aristotle, that which creates movement as a final purpose by attraction
- for Aquinas, the divine initiator of all change and motion
What is Motion to Aristotle and Aquinas?
Not just movement, but also change of any sort, such as becoming warm or cold
First Cause
Uncaused beginning of all other beings, initiating all other causes
Fallacy of Composition
The logical error, cited by Hume of assuming what is true of the part is true of the whole
Anthropomorphism
Projection of human characteristics onto a non-human being
Infinite Regress
An endless sequence going backwards through time, without beginning
