The Cosmological Argument

Question 1

What is the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

Based on the observation that the universe cannot account for its own existence.
Must be causes that have their origin in the existence of God

Question 2

What is the First Way?

Answer 2

First mover (Prime mover)
1- object has the potential to become something different, so movement is the fulfilment of that potential
2- nothing can be both potential and actual at the same time
3- whatever is moves must be moved by another
4- chain of movers cannot go to infinity (infinite regress)
5- if we trace movement back far enough we must arrive at the first mover (moved by no other)

Question 3

What is the second way?

Answer 3

Efficient cause
1- nothing could be the efficient cause of itself; it would already have had to exist in order to bring itself into existence (impossible)
2- if we trace causes enough there must be a first cause, caused by no other.

Question 4

What is the third way?

Answer 4

Necessary Being
1-the world consists of contingent beings which at one time did not exist
2- if everything at one time did not exist, there would have been nothing in existence
3-as there are contingent beings existing now, there must be something non-contingent.

Question 5

What is then first way focussed on?

Answer 5

The idea of change or motion

Question 6

What does the second way focus on?

Answer 6

The idea of cause and effect

Question 7

What is a contingent being?

Answer 7

Beings that depend upon something else for their existence.

Question 8

What is the argument based on?

Answer 8

Appeals to events that we see and experience in the universe.

• A posteriori
• Inductive: draws a general conclusion from specific instances