P: The Cosomolgical Argument Knowledge

Question 1

Define Cosmos.

Answer 1

The world or universe as a perfect and well- ordered system.

Question 2

Define Contingency.

Answer 2

Something that may or may not happen. An event or condition that depends on something else that may not happen.

Question 3

Define Infinite regress.

Answer 3

A sequence of cause and effect which did not have a beginning nor end.

Question 4

Define Potentiality.

Answer 4

Refers to undeveloped possibilities within someone or something for development or change. It is something that could exists in a different form than it currently is in.

Question 5

Define Ex Nihilo.

Answer 5

Latin meaning ‘out of nothing’ - most believes believe that God created the universe Ex Nihilo.

Question 6

Who was Thomas Aquinas and what’s was he famous for?

Answer 6

Aquinas was one of the greatest Catholic theologians, and he was most popular for the cosmological argument. He suggested that God attempted to reveal himself in 5 ways.

Question 7

What were the FIVE WAYS God revealed himself according to Thomas Aquinas?

Answer 7

1. FROM MOTION. - God must be the “first mover”, since all things must be moved by something else.
2. FROM CAUSATION- God must be the “first cause” of all things.
3. FROM CONTINGENCY AND NECESSITY- God is a “necessary being”, meaning HE exists on HIS own right and HE depends on no one but HIS existence.
4. FROM GRADES OF PERFECTION IN THINGS- God is the source of all values.
5. FROM DESIGN- He is the designer of everything.

Question 8

What is The Third Way?

Answer 8

Some contingent beings exist; if any contingent being exists then a necessary being must exist. The cause of the universe cannot be within it, therefore it must have been an external cause and must’ve always existed. Moreover, this being necessarily exists because we would not exist without it.

Question 9

What is a quote that supports The Third Way?

Answer 9

“The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, … if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence.”

Question 10

Name TWO strengths of the Cosmological Argument.

Answer 10

1. The cause and effect structure of the argument is logical as it would be illogical to suggest the universe has always existed.
2. Science supports the idea that there was a beginning to the universe (The Big Bang).

Question 11

Name TWO weaknesses of the Cosmological Argument.

Answer 11

1. Even if it is agreed a God started the universe, there is no evidence to suggest this is a Christian God.
2. Aquinas argues that everything has purpose yet God does not himself which contradicts this.

Question 12

What is the First Way?

Answer 12

Things aren’t infinitely moved, therefore there must be a first mover and a last mover. Proving the existence of God.

Question 13

What is the Second Way?

Answer 13

Aristoles model of causation shows that causes have causes have causes, leading to God being the cause of all things. Uncaused causer.

Question 14

What is a contingent being?

Answer 14

Something that could have not existed as easily as it couldn’t have existed.

Question 15

What is a necessary being?

Answer 15

Something that must’ve been necessary for all other beings to exist.

Question 16

What is the FIRST objection by Russel against The Fallacy of Composition ?

Answer 16

Fallacy of composition: It is incorrect to assume that the individual parts of something share the same qualities as the thing as a whole.

Question 17

What is a Quote to support the fallacy of composition?

Answer 17

“ Everyman who exists has a mother, and it seems to me your argument is that therefore the human race must have a mother”.

Question 18

How does the Fallacy of Composition apply to the universe?

Answer 18

The universe can be made up of contingent things but isn’t as a whole contingent.

Question 19

What is the SECOND objection by Russel which is the ‘Principle of Sufficient reason’?

Answer 19

Things cannot be ‘necessary’ as this describes a priori proposition (e.g. a triangle has three sides). No observations can prove necessary beings, only factual statements can be necessary— not Gods’ existence.

Question 20

What is a Quote to support Russel argument that things cannot be necessary?

Answer 20

“The word ‘necessary’ I should maintain can only be applied significantly to propositions.”

Question 21

What is the THIRD objection by Russel of Infinite Regress?

Answer 21

The universe just is and requires no explanation, it’s existence is brute and requires no explanation.

Question 22

What is the “Principle of sufficient reason”?

Answer 22

Everything that exists must have a cause as it is contingent, therefore something necessary must have caused this cause.

Question 23

What is Natural Theology?

Answer 23

Knowledge of God which is obtained by reason alone without the aid of revelation.

Question 24

What is Fidiesm?

Answer 24

The idea that religious beliefs cannot be justified by rational means but only through faith