Nature of Reality Flashcards
what are the four arguments and what do they try to prove?
- design argument
- anthropic argument
- the first cause argument, cosmological argument
- moral argument
what are the value and important of arguments about the existence of God?
- consider whether belief in God is reasonable
- demonstrate logical ways to accept that God exists
- some arguments refer to aspects of bible: nature of god as creator
- some arguments refer to human behaviours as indicator of God’s existence
- enable all people to discuss and consider existence of god
what does observing the natural world reveal?
order and complexity that could only be achieved through an intelligent designer
not natural events that created everything, but a greater being
what is the design argument known as?
Teleological argument
‘telos’ purpose
what does the teleological argument suggest?
because the world was designed, it has purpose
what effect does the design argument have?
serves as a revelation to people
recognise intricacy and complexity of world
believe in a designer God
who is William Paley?
philosopher
uses example of watch to explain argument from design
all parts of watch work together to meet purpose
watch has a designer, not result of an accident
nature works to meet a purpose, must have designer
Who is John Stuart Mill?
disagreed with Paley
examined way nature worked
certain animals = killers
certain creatures = living off other animals
other elements of nature occur due to faults in Earth (earthquakes, tsunamis)
if god existed = cruel god
pain and suffering
can’t worship God that would design such a world
what is the anthropic principle?
F.R. Tennant uses it to refer to how perfect the universe was structured to ensure life would develop
evolution = further evidence of his existence as designer
evolution has a purpose, which is to develop increasingly life forms
evolution guided by God
who is Professor John Polkinghorne?
theoretical physicist
in order for life to exist there has to have been a precise development of universe
believes God created universe in way to ensure human existence
not just luck
John Polkinghorne quote
‘a fruitful universe has to have exactly the right sort of stars’
what biblical account supports Polkinghorne?
Genes 1 and 2
God creates environment suitable for human habitation
Whether Creation takes as myth or literary - shows the way God ensured human survival
what is the first cause argument?
no event in the world that doesn’t have a cause
aristotle - everything must be crested by some cause
universe must have cause - something must’ve triggered process that started development
dominos
God= ‘prime mover’ or first cause
what is the first cause argument also known as?
the cosmological argument
what is the moral argument?
links our sense of guilt when we do something wrong with the voice of God speaking through our conscience
God enabled people to know right from wrong
when people do something wrong they become aware of it
humans can ignore due to free will
what did Newman believe?
God’s voice within us was a reminder that we are responsible to him
if there was no God, then humans would not have inner sense of right and wrong
what is the soul making judgement?
in this life, need to make decisions about what is right in given situations
suffering and evil give opportunities for humans to learn and act in way that pleases God
people can become more like god = good and perfect
this process will continue after death - everyone continues on journey to goodness
what is it called the soul-making argument?
through moral decisions a person’s soul is able to develop
which philosopher believed in the souls-making judgement?
John Hick
why do some christians reject the soul-making judgement?
doesn’t fit with belief that God judges people after death
person’s soul sent to heaven / hell
what do christians use to support soul making argument?
but also believe moral behaviour impacts God’s judgement
parable of sheep and goat - god judges people based on love and compassion shown towards others
way you treat others is a reflection of your love for jesus
choices made = direct impact on afterlife
what affects the way in which a christian choses to live?
possibility of god speaking to humans through their conscience the way a person lives and how this may impact their afterlife
influences what they buy, moral decisions made, careers
give ways in which christians have tried to live ethically?
- stewards of earth - buy products made from recycled materials
- Faire Trade products
- renewable sources of energy - Methodist church promotes solar panels on their church roof
- Trees for Life - increase reforestation around world
What is toilet twinning?
provides poorest of communities on planet with a toilet, clean water, info to stay healthy
donation used by TearFund, provide basic sanitation and hygiene education
children are healthier and able to go to school, parents are well enough to work land and grow food to feed family
