The Cosmological Argument

Question 1

What is the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

1. A posteriori argument
2. Looks at the functionality of the universe, cause and order
3. Through eternal observation and experience that God exists

Question 2

What is the argument from motion?

Answer 2

1. Some things in the world are in motion
2. Whatever is in motion is put into motion by something else. Nothing can move itself.
3. If A put into motion by B, and B is also in motion, then B must have been put into motion by something else again
4. If this goes on to infinity, then there is no first mover
5. If there is no first mover, then there is no other mover, and so nothing is in motion
6. Therefore there must be a first mover
7. The first mover is God

Question 3

What is the argument from causation?

Answer 3

1. We find causes and effects
2. Nothing can be the cause of itself
3. Causes follow in order
4. If you remove a cause, you remove its effect
5. Therefore if there is no first cause there will be no later causes
6. Therefore there cannot be an infinite regress of causes
7. There must be a first cause which is not itself caused
8. God is the first cause

Question 5

What is Kalam’s Cosmological Argument?

Answer 5

1. Of anything that begins to exist, something causes it to exist
2. The universe began to exist
3. Therefore there is a cause of the existence of the universe

Question 6

What is the argument from contingency?

Answer 6

1. Things in the universe exist contingently
2. If it is possible for something not to exist, then at some time, it does not exist.
3. If everything exists contingently, then it is possible that at some time there was nothing in existence
4. If at some time nothing was in existence, nothing could begin to existence
5. Since things did begin to exist, there was never nothing in existence
6. Therefore, there is something that does not exist contingently, but must exist
7. This necessary being is God.