theme 1- inductive arguments

Question 1

inductive reasoning

Answer 1

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

Question 2

inductive arguments lead to conclusions…

Answer 2

that might be true but could also be false

Question 3

example of an inductive argument

Answer 3

i have seen 800 swans. all the swans are white therefore all swans are white

Question 4

empirically

Answer 4

using knowledge gained through the experiences of any of the 5 senses

Question 5

examples of inductive arguments

Answer 5

• cosmological

- teleological

Question 6

inductive proof

Answer 6

argument constructed on evidence &/or experience that puts forward a possible conclusion based on these

Question 7

posit

Answer 7

to pull forward, or state a fact/belief usually as the basis for an argument or conclusion

Question 8

a posteriori

Answer 8

a statement that is based on actual observation, evidence, experimental data or experience- relates to inductive reasoning

Question 9

cosmological arguement- the first way

Answer 9

the unmoved mover

‘that which all men call god’

Question 10

cosmological argument

Answer 10

has 5 arguments to prove the existence of god

Question 11

efficient cause -1st way

Answer 11

the ‘third party’ that moves potentiality to actuality

Question 12

potentiality -1st way

Answer 12

the ability to be able to become something else

Question 13

actuality -1st way

Answer 13

when something is in its fully realised state

Question 14

aquinas- the unmoved mover

Answer 14

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

Question 15

aquinas- the unmoved mover (2)

Answer 15

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

Question 16

the second way

Answer 16

the uncaused causer

Question 17

the uncaused causer

Answer 17

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

Question 18

aristotle- the uncaused causer

Answer 18

thought that cause worked on four different levels:

• material
• efficient
• formal
• final

Question 19

efficient cause

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

domino analogy

Answer 20

intermediate cause:

ultimate cause:

Question 21

aquinas view on the second way

Answer 21

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

Question 22

aquinas view on the second way (2)

Answer 22

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

Question 23

the third way

Answer 23

contingency

Question 24

contingent

Answer 24

anything that depends on something else

Question 25

the universe

Answer 25

exists contingently- it depends on external factors for its existence

Question 26

everything in the physical world is contingent in two ways

Answer 26

• they depend on something bringing them into existence

- they depend on something for the continuation of their existence

Question 27

aquinas and contingency

Answer 27

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

Question 28

necessary being

Answer 28

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

Question 29

kalam’s cosmological argument

Answer 29

developed by muslim philosophers, using the thinking of aristotle.
it relates to seeking theological principles through debate and argument

Question 30

kalams argument claims

Answer 30

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

Question 31

william lane craig

Answer 31

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