Philo (Existance Of God) Flashcards
What is the main focus of the Cosmological Argument?
Everything is caused by something, nothing causes itself, chain cannot have infinite regress, must be something that started the chain (first cause), this was god.
Who is associated with the Cosmological Argument in this context?
Aquinas
Aquinas used this argument to assert the necessity of a God as the First Cause.
What term refers to the universe in the Cosmological Argument?
Cosmos
What does ‘Necessary Being’ refer to?
A being that does not rely on anything else for its existence.
Define ‘Contingent Being’.
Beings that rely on something else for their existence.
What is ‘infinite regress’?
A situation where causes continue indefinitely without a starting point.
What conclusion did David Hume reach regarding causation?
You cannot conclude that the entire universe has a cause based on individual events.
What type of argument is based on experience of the world?
A posteriori argument.
What is an ‘a priori’ argument?
An argument based on reason without empirical evidence.
What is meant by the first cause?
Uncaused cause (aquinas said this was god)
What did Hume argue regarding individual events and their causes?
- “you cannot infer that every individual event has a cause” to the conclusion that “the whole universe has a cause”
- too big of a leap in logic (same as saying that all humans have mother es therefore the human race has a mother”
- not possible to prove the existence of a being who is unknowable and existentially different from other beings.
What does the term ‘Necessary Being’ imply about its existence?
It exists independently of anything else.
What’s a quote for cosmological argument said by aquinas?
“Universe depends on something else for its existence. Nothing is the cause of itself. There must be a first cause.”
What are the strengths of the cosmological argument?
- saying that the universe has always existed isn’t sufficient
- argument is simple and easy to understand
- science supports a beginning to the universe. Big bang supports that the universe is not infinite
- time cannot be infinite as you cannot add infinity
- aquinas would argue that there must’ve been a first cause to explain the existence of the universe
Weaknesses of the cosmological argument?
- who’s to say that its god from Christianity and not anywhere else (other beliefs in other religions)
- why not believe that science is the first cause
- impossible to prove the existence of a being who is unknowable and different from everyone else
- why can’t we have infinite regress if god is eternal? Argument is contradictory
- argument is built on the assumption that god exists which isn’t a fair test.
What is the main premise of the Teleological Argument?
The universe’s complexity suggests it was designed by an intelligent creator, unlikely that it would’ve happened by chance, this designer was god.
Who is a key proponent of the Teleological Argument?
Aquinas.
Aquinas argued that the existence of God can be inferred from the design of the universe.
What does Aquinas claim about God in relation to the Teleological Argument?
God is the creator and exists due to the Teleological Argument.
Aquinas uses the complexity of the universe to justify the existence of a higher being.
According to the Teleological Argument, why could the universe not have happened by chance?
Everything is so detailed and intricate.
The argument asserts that the universe’s complexity indicates intentional design rather than random occurrence.
How does the Teleological Argument differ from the Cosmological Argument?
Teleological Argument focuses on design; Cosmological Argument focuses on causation.
While the Cosmological Argument seeks a cause, the Teleological Argument examines the purpose and design behind existence.
What analogy does William Paley use to illustrate the Teleological Argument?
The analogy of a watch.
Paley compares the complexity of the universe to that of a watch, suggesting both require a designer.
Everything in a watch works together to function,
Universe has millions of parts that all work together, this was made by god.
What does Aquinas state about the universe’s occurrence?
It could not have happened by chance.
Aquinas emphasizes the design and order present in the universe as evidence against random occurrence.
What does the term ‘intelligent designer’ refer to in the context of the Teleological Argument?
A being responsible for the complexity and order of the universe.
This concept is central to the Teleological Argument, suggesting a purposeful creator.
What does Telos mean?
Ultimate purpose or aim
Quotes from aquinas for teleological argument:
“ just like an arrow directed by its archer”
“ some intelligent being exists from whom all natural things are directed to their end, this is god.”
What are the strengths surrounding the teleological argument
- uses analogies to make it relatable and easy to understand
- too much of a coincidence for it to be an “accident”
- makes sense that god is the designer
- the presence of order infers the existence of god
What weaknesses surround the teleological argument?
- alongside the beauty of the world there is also chaos, evil and suffering.
- universe is a living organism and not a machine designed for as specific function (a watch)
- who’s to say that the creators god (if there is one)
- nature and science could’ve created the world (there is more evidence)
- just because it looks designed doesn’t mean it is.
What is the definition of conscience?
Internal ideas about right and wrong, influencing behavior and decisions.
Conscience is often viewed as a moral compass that guides individuals in their actions.
What did St Augustine say?
“Conscience is the voice of god whispering to us inwardly about what is right and what is wrong”
What does the term ‘guilt’ imply in the context of conscience?
It means disobedience to moral laws.
Guilt serves as a signal that one has acted against their conscience.
What did Augustine believe about conscience?
He described it as the voice of God whispering to individuals.
Augustine’s view highlights the divine aspect of moral understanding.
Who is associated with the idea that conscience implies a responsibility to a higher being?
Cardinal John Henry Newman.
Newman emphasized the importance of conscience in moral decision-making.
What does GASUP stand for
God given
Authoritative figure
Society
Us
Parents
What are the strengths of the moral argument?
- relatable as everyone has a conscience and explains why we have one
- god promotes morality
- too much of a coincidence as it’s universal
- guilt.
Weaknesses surrounding the moral argument?
- some people are born without or develope a lack of conscience (psychopaths)
- people are brought up differently and everyone might have different morals
- no proof that the source of conscience is god
- argument assumes that god is a powerful law giver
- nurture vs nature
- people only known good from bad because of reward and punishment.
What is a religious experience?
An altered state of consciousness characterized by feelings of awe and wonder.
Define numinous.
Characterized by a feeling of awe and wonder. Mystical experience.
What is glossolalia?
Speaking in tongues, often during religious experiences.
What was the story of Nicky Cruz
Gang leader who beat up a priest on the street after he invited him to take part in church and after, went to said church to threaten him but as he walked in he felt a powerful presence while hearing the pastor preach.
What is the significance of the term ‘sacrament’ in religious experiences?
It refers to sacred rituals, e.g., Eucharist.
Explain the term ‘conversion’ in relation to religious experiences.
A profound change in belief or faith, often triggered by a significant event.
What is a common characteristic of religious experiences?
Feelings of connection to a divine or transcendent reality.
What are charismatic religious experiences?
Through the Holy Spirit
What is religious ecstasy?
Altered state of mind caused by Holy Spirit (acts unusually)
Example of a charismatic phenomenon?
Toronto blessing (glossalia, over 300 people)
What is the Logos referred to in the context of revelations?
“Word became flesh and dwelt among us” - word of god
This phrase emphasizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the Word made flesh.
Define ‘Incarnation’ in theological terms.
God becoming “both divine and human”
Incarnation refers to the belief that the divine nature of God took on human form in Jesus Christ.
What is stated about the Bible’s nature?
The Bible is the literal Word of God
This implies that the text of the Bible is considered divinely inspired and authoritative.
What are fundamentalists?
Believes that the bible is inerrant (It means the Bible is without mistakes).
It’s the literal word of god.
What does the term ‘spiritual authority’ imply?
It refers to the guidance provided by Scripture
Spiritual authority is understood as the influence of the Bible in moral and spiritual matters.
What do liberalists believe?
Writers are humans so their could be mistakes
Interpret passages so its relevant to us now
Spiritual truths (genesis is myth not fact)
What are conservative beliefs?
If bible clashes science then science is wrong.
Creation is a story with symbolism and meaning behind it.
Writers were guided by god but with limited understanding of culture and outlook, therefore mistakes.
What traumatic event is mentioned regarding Margaret Mitzen?
Murder of their son 2008
This event transformed into a learning experience for others, highlighting resilience in the face of tragedy.
Spoke out about her forgiveness towards the murders.
Who was mother Teresa?
Catholic nun, founder of the missionaries of charity.
Born in macedonia, felt her calling to help the sick and poor at a young age.
Had a vision of god
Canonised as a saint in 2016
A quote regarding consciousness
“Conscience is the voice of god telling us right from wrong”
