Theme 1: Inductive Arguments Flashcards
Cosmological Definition
Relative to origin/development of universe
Ex Nihilo
From or out of nothing, universe created out of nothing
Teleological Definition
Related or involved the explanation of phenomena in terms of purpose they serve, not cause
Cosmological Argument: St Thomas Aquinas first Way
- things tend to be in a state of change your motion and things will not change of their own accord, but they are moved by something else
- “send an evident to our senses that some things in the world some things are in motion”
- when looking back at sequences or motion you will eventually find what started the sequence off
- efficient cause - state of activity, starting the chain
- Aristotle - things moving from a state of potentiality to actuality
- marble block example - unmoved mover equals God “that which all men called God”
Cosmological Argument: Aquinas the second way
- infinite regression impossible - chain of course and effect can’t be traced
- must be first uncaused cause - efficient cause
- impossible friend thing in the universe to cause itself, e.g. line of dominoes
- “there is no cause known in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself…“
- Ed Miller supports Aquinas/Leibniz
~ important observations - argues against infinite series of cause he was not thinking about temporal series of events leading back in time
Cosmological Argument: Aquinas’s third way
- everything exists has the potentiality of not existing as everything in existence wouldn’t have come into existence
- non-contingent being that brought everything into existence is God
- it is impossible for these always to exist for that which cannot be at some time It’s not and God is uncaused cause and unmoved mover
- Aquinas belief that the existence of contingent beings would ultimately necessitate of being which must exist to bring about the existence than anything else
- FR Coplestern - everything that exists has been caused by external causes
What is the Kalam cosmological argument?
The Kalam cosmological argument posits that whatever begins to exist has a cause, leading to the conclusion that the universe has a cause.
Who supports the Kalam cosmological argument?
Many philosophers support the Kalam argument, including William Lane Craig and Ed Miller.
What is Ed Miller’s view on the beginning of the universe?
Ed Miller believes it is a philosophical necessity to believe in the beginning of the world, stating, ‘If the universe has always existed, then it has taken forever to reach this point. But then it could never reach this point. But here we are! So it didn’t take forever.’
What is a counterargument to the Kalam cosmological argument?
Some argue that the universe is a ‘brute fact’, meaning it simply exists without explanation.
How does Richard Swinburne support the Kalam argument?
Richard Swinburne argues that the existence of God is the simplest solution for the existence of the universe, using Ockham’s Razor: ‘All things being equal the simplest solution is usually the best.’
What is a criticism of the conclusion of the Kalam argument?
Critics argue that concluding the cause of the universe is a personal agent contradicts the principle of cause and effect.
What does Michio Kaku argue against the Kalam argument?
Michio Kaku argues that the need for a ‘first mover’ is incorrect according to particle physics, as electrons can come into existence without a cause.
What scientific theory supports the idea of an initial cause?
The Big Bang Theory suggests that a huge explosion caused the beginning of time itself.
What fallacy does David Hume associate with the Kalam argument?
David Hume notes that the Kalam argument commits the fallacy of composition, assuming that the rules of cause and effect in the universe apply to the universe itself.
What is Bertrand Russell’s analogy related to the Kalam argument?
Bertrand Russell stated, ‘Just because every human has a mother does not mean that the whole of humanity has a mother.’
What is F.R. Copleston’s view on contingent beings?
F.R. Copleston argues that everything that exists has been caused by external causes, stating that ‘an infinite series of contingent beings will be, to my way of thinking, as unable to cause itself as one contingent being.’
What contradiction does the Kalam argument present?
The Kalam argument contradicts itself by stating that infinity is impossible while referring to a personal creator that is infinite.
What is the general conclusion about the effectiveness of the Kalam cosmological arguments?
The Kalam cosmological arguments can be seen as ineffective due to logical contradictions and criticisms from both philosophers and scientists.
What was David Hume’s view on the cosmological argument?
David Hume was uncomfortable with the reasoning behind the cosmological argument, particularly regarding causes. He argued that observing cause and effect in the universe does not mean this rule applies to the universe itself.
What example did Bertrand Russell use to illustrate the fallacy of composition?
Russell stated, ‘Just because every human has a mother does not mean the whole of humanity has a mother.’ This illustrates the fallacy of composition.
What question did Hume raise about God’s causation?
Hume questioned, ‘If God is supposed to be self-caused and began the Universe - then why cannot we simply give the same characteristics to the Universe itself?’
What did J.S. Mill say about our experience of a first cause?
‘Our experience, instead of furnishing an argument for a first cause, is repugnant to it.’
What was Kant’s perspective on knowledge of the universe’s beginning?
Kant believed we have no real knowledge of the beginning of the universe because we were not there, making conclusions about it meaningless.
