The Kalam Flashcards
Define “Kalam”
arabic term for “argue” or “discuss”
Who developed the Kalam argument?
Al-Kindi & Al Ghazali
Who expanded the Kalam argument?
William Lane Craig
What is an inductive argument?
an argument where even if the premises are true, the conclusion does not necessarily follow
What is an a posteriori argument?
an argument based off of empirical evidence
What is a potential infinite?
something that can be infinitely added upon / is always possible to add one more to a series
What is an actual infinite?
a set mathematical concept of a thing with infinite numbers of members, it cannot gain nor subtract. Philosophers argue this is impossible as if you took away a book from an infinite library, the amount of books remains the same which is illogical
What is the base argument of the Kalam argument?
The present would not exist in an actual infinite universe because successive additions cannot be added to an actual infinite
The present does exist as the result of a chronological series of past events and is formed in successive addition
What is the base argument of the 2nd part of the Kalam argument?
If the universe had a beginning then this beginning was either caused or uncaused
Either it was a natural occurrence or something’s choice
As the rules of nature did not exist before the beginning of the universe, the universe cannot be the result of natural causes
Who does craig argue is the only being powerful enough to create the universe?
The god of Classical Theism
What does Craig argue God is if he chose to make the universe?
a personal God
