theme 1- inductive arguments Flashcards
inductive reasoning
when people draw conclusions from particular examples. we see things happening a lot, and then we conclude that they always, or usually happen. the person doing the reasoning uses their sensory experiences to make rules or predictions
inductive arguments lead to conclusions…
that might be true but could also be false
example of an inductive argument
i have seen 800 swans. all the swans are white therefore all swans are white
empirically
using knowledge gained through the experiences of any of the 5 senses
examples of inductive arguments
- cosmological
- teleological
inductive proof
argument constructed on evidence &/or experience that puts forward a possible conclusion based on these
posit
to pull forward, or state a fact/belief usually as the basis for an argument or conclusion
a posteriori
a statement that is based on actual observation, evidence, experimental data or experience- relates to inductive reasoning
cosmological arguement- the first way
the unmoved mover
‘that which all men call god’
cosmological argument
has 5 arguments to prove the existence of god
efficient cause -1st way
the ‘third party’ that moves potentiality to actuality
potentiality -1st way
the ability to be able to become something else
actuality -1st way
when something is in its fully realised state
aquinas- the unmoved mover
when we observe the universe we notice that things tend to be in a state of motion. he noted that things do not do this of their own accord but are instead moved by something else
aquinas- the unmoved mover (2)
if we look down this sequence of movements we would have to eventually come to something that started the whole sequence.
as all things in the universe are either moving or movers, we need to find a point that started these things- means to look outside of the universe- this being is no other than god
the second way
the uncaused causer
the uncaused causer
deals with the concept of cause and effect. every effect has a cause and infinite regress is impossible so there must be a first cause, which we call god
aristotle- the uncaused causer
thought that cause worked on four different levels:
- material
- efficient
- formal
- final
efficient cause
aristotle ment the agent which makes something happen. aquinas applied this logic to the universe, arriving to the conclusion that god is the first efficient cause.
domino analogy
intermediate cause:
ultimate cause:
aquinas view on the second way
he states that not only the idea that cause and effect is a simple, undeniable law of the universe but it is also impossible for anything within the universe to cause itself
aquinas view on the second way (2)
but if in efficient cause it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect , nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false.
therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficent cause, to which everyone gives the name god
the third way
contingency
contingent
anything that depends on something else
the universe
exists contingently- it depends on external factors for its existence
everything in the physical world is contingent in two ways
- they depend on something bringing them into existence
- they depend on something for the continuation of their existence
aquinas and contingency
everything in the universe is contingent.
contingent things depend on something else to bring them into existence, so unless there is some being that is capable of bringing things into existence independent of everything else, nothing would have started
necessary being
aquinas contention that a non- contingent being is necessary for contingent beings to exist. it is this necessary being that is the source of all existence for all other contigent beings
something must exist that is unlike everything else in existence. it has no beginning or end- it has necessary existence- this is god
kalam’s cosmological argument
developed by muslim philosophers, using the thinking of aristotle.
it relates to seeking theological principles through debate and argument
kalams argument claims
that everything that begins to exist must have a cause to make it come into existence. the universe must have has a causer, as there must have been a time when it began to exist
william lane craig
modern christian philosopher that supports the logic of the kalam argument.
believed that:
-an actual infinite (something which has no start no end) cant exist
-a beginningless temporal series of events cant exist as they are an actual infinite.
-example of library books
