Lecture 8: Arguments for the Existence of God

Question 1

Who championed design implied by observed regularity?

Answer 1

Richard Swinburne

Question 2

Summarize Aquinas’s argument from gradation of being or perfection.

Answer 2

If there are levels of perfection, there must be some standard of perfection which holds that trait to the highest degree.

Question 3

Summarize Aquinas’s argument from efficient causes.

Answer 3

A thing cannot design or cause itself. There must be a first efficient cause - God.

Question 4

Define a priori arguments.

Answer 4

These arguments use deductive reasoning by starting with a premise, then developing reasons from it.

Question 5

Define a posteriori arguments.

Answer 5

These arguments move from a particular observation to a more general conclusion.

Question 6

Natural theology typically uses what type of apologetics with what kind of arguments?

Answer 6

Classical apologetics, a posteriori arguments

Question 7

Define reductio ad absurdum arguments.

Answer 7

Arguments that demonstrate something positive by showing the opposite of it is absurd or contradictory.

Question 8

What does a priori mean, literally?

Answer 8

“That which comes before”

Question 9

Which two people strongly opposed Paley?

Answer 9

Samuel Coleridge and John Newman

Question 10

Give a limit of a posteriori arguments.

Answer 10

Since they are not proofs, all arguments are at best probabilistic.

Question 11

Give the three cosmological arguments from Aquinas’ ‘Five Ways’.

Answer 11

Motion
Efficient causes
Possibility and necessity

Question 12

In what work did Anselm put forward the ontological argument?

Answer 12

Proslogion

Question 13

List Aquinas’s Five Ways arguments.

Answer 13

Motion
Efficient causes
Possibility and necessity
Gradation
Finality

Question 14

What do cosmological arguments have in common?

Answer 14

They all begin by observing that something exists, rather than nothing. The existence of the world demands an explanation.

Question 15

Summarize Aquinas’s argument from finality (teleological argument).

Answer 15

Everything has an ultimate purpose, even the inanimate. However, whatever lacks intelligence can only act for an end if it can be guided by a particular intelligence. God gives all beings direction to their end.

Question 16

Summarize Aquinas’s argument from motion.

Answer 16

Everything in motion has been put in motion by something else. However, all motion must be traced back to an original ‘unmoved mover.’

Question 17

Explain the Kalam cosmological argument.

Answer 17

• Whatever begins to exist must have been caused by something
• The universe began to exist
• The universe must have been caused to exist

Question 18

Give the two non-cosmological arguments from Aquinas’ ‘Five Ways’.

Answer 18

Gradation of being/perfection

Finality (teleological argument)

Question 19

What is another name for an a posteriori argument?

Answer 19

An inductive argument

Question 20

Who thought Paley’s work endangered Christianity and wanted to “throw the full force of his intelliect” in the way of it? Why?

Answer 20

Samuel Coleridge, because Christianity cannot be proven, so anything “proven” must actually be other than Christianity (e.g. atheism).

Question 21

The Kalam cosmological argument relies upon what?

Answer 21

The impossibility of infinite regression, which says there cannot be an actual infinite.

Question 22

Give an example of a teleological argument that focuses on design implied by purpose.

Answer 22

William Paley’s watchmaker argument

Question 23

What kind of argument is Anselm’s ontological argument?

Answer 23

reductio ad absurdum

Question 24

What does a posteriori mean, literally?

Answer 24

“That which comes after” or “after the fact”

Question 25

Give an example of a teleological argument that focuses on design implied by observed regularity.

Answer 25

Maxwell’s equations

Question 26

Summarize Aquinas’s argument from possibility and necessity.

Answer 26

Of everything that exists, it is possible for it not to exist. Yet something exists, and since nothing cannot create something, God must have first created.

Question 27

Who famously rejected the Kalam cosmological argument, and why?

Answer 27

David Hume, because the world does go back infinitely and we cannot really know cause and effect.

Question 28

Is Anselm’s ontological argument an a priori or a posteriori argument?

Answer 28

A priori

Question 29

What do natural theology apologetics attempt to do?

Answer 29

It works inductively by observing how things are, and inferring God from those observations. From non-religious to religious arguments.

Question 30

What are teleological arguments?

Answer 30

Teleological arguments are based on observations of orderliness or purpose in the universe. This reflects some superior intelligence that designed the world.

Question 31

Give the two types of teleological arguments.

Answer 31

Design implied by purpose

Design implied by observed regularity

Question 32

Summarize Dun Scotus’ cosmological argument.

Answer 32

If something is in effect, it must have been produced - either by nothing, by itself, or by another something. This regresses back to a first something that produces by its own power.