Philosophy - The Existence of God Flashcards
What is the First Cause Argument? Explain.
It states that everything in the Universe have a cause, and God must have been the first cause which set the Universe in motion.
“It’s impossible to traverse an infinite series. The past therefore cannot be infinite. The first cause must be uncreated, eternal. The first cause must be God.” - St Thomas Aquinas
Who proposed the First Cause Argument?
St Thomas Aquinas
Who proposed the Teleological (design) Argument?
William Paley
What does the Teleological Argument state?
That the Universe is so perfect for it to be in existence by chance. It must have been created by an intelligent God.
What is the watchmaker analogy?
William Paley said that if a man came across a watch, with perfectly working cogs and screws functioning to their maximum, it must have had an intelligent watchmaker, and it couldn’t have been made by chance. Paley likened the watch to the Universe and the watchmaker to God
What did Mathematical Physicist Sir Isaac Newton comment on the teleological argument?
All he had to do to prove the existence of God was to look at the complexity and perfection of his own thumb.
Describe the argument from Miracles.
According to religious people, miracles DO occur, and only God is capable of breaking the laws of nature as He is transcendent (not immanent); outside His creation.
Describe the argument from Religious Experience.
Some people believe that they have had a religious experience which only God could cause (such as answered prayers), therefore God must exist.
Describe the argument from Morality.
According to religious people, God is our source of morality, and we have a conscience. Therefore God must exist.
Describe the flaw in the Existence of God by wishful thinking.
Faith might just be wishful thinking. Belief in the afterworld is only a reassurance for those who fear death.
Describe a major flaw in most of the arguments for the existence of God.
Most of the arguments assume that miracles occur, or that their prayers are purposefully answered or that God gives us morality. It doesn’t consider the fact that miracles and answered prayers may just be COINCIDENCES and that God doesn’t give us morality.
Describe the argument against the existence of God from suffering
If God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and omnibenevolent, he would be able to recognise suffering, want to stop suffering and have the power to stoop suffering. Nevertheless, suffering exists in the world, so God cannot exist.
Counter argument against the argument from suffering
God gave us all free will, so if we suffer, it is our own fault. God is immanent with His creation; not transcendent. suffering is a test of our loyalty to God - story of Job
Name some religious experiences:
- communicating with god through prayer/meditation
- Feeling God’s presence through worship
- feeling God’s presence in nature
- experiencing a conversion
- involvement in miraculous event
Problems with religious experience:
- difficult to prove
- people could be wrong or misled
- wishful thinking
- under the influence of drugs or hallucinations
