Unit 1 Flashcards
What is a theist
someone who believes there is a God
An atheist
is someone who believes there is no God
An agnostic
is someone who believe we cannot k is for sure whether or not there is a God
explain the cosmological argument
put forward by thomas aquinas
✖️everything in the universe has been brought into being or caused by something else. Something cannot come from nothing.
✖️ he uses the example, like a line of dominoes everything as part of a chain of cause-and-effect
✖️ something must’ve started the chain in the same way that somethings outside forces need to push the domino over when we choose everything back the universe must have had a first cause
✖️ infinite regress is impossible
✖️ the first cause must be eternal, otherwise it would’ve needed something to cause it to exist
✖️ this is the “uncaused causer”
✖️God is the uncaused cause
what are the criticisms for the cosmological argument
✖️if the first cause can be eternal, why can’t the whole chain of effects be eternal, there is no logical need for an uncaused causer. The universe could be eternal with no need for a cause
✖️aquinas also suggested in his argument that because there was order and logic in the universe that points to a causer but some people might look at the universe and suggest other reasons for this logic
✖️aquinas just assumed that infinite regress was impossible though this cannot be proven
✖️science is able to explain the origin of the universe without reference to God
what is the teleological argument
Aquinas originally presented this argument though it was developed by William Paley
✖️the world is so complicated and intricate it must have had a designer
✖️It could not have come about by random chance or the result of a cosmic bang.
✖️Paley used the example of the workings of a traditional windup watch to present his argument.
✖️ his argument goes like this -if you were walking and find a watch lying in the grass. You might well look at it and be impressed at the complexity of its workings. You might notice how all the cogs and springs work together each movement, depending on the other one, each one moving, precisely as it should not too fast, not too slow. Paley said it would be natural to ask who made this. the complexity of the workings implies It had an intelligent designer.
✖️the goldilocks principle
✖️the anthropoid principle
what is the goldilocks principle
the term used to describe how conditions are just right. in this case it can be applied to the universe being just right to sustain life
what is the anthropic principle
the planet is in some sense compelled to eventually have conscious and intelligent life emerge within it. That’s just the way earth is.
2 examples for the teleological argument
-The earths distance from the Sun, if the Earth was any closer further away than it would not sustain life in the variety, we can see around us
-The Earth spins on its axis exactly the right speed to chief the purpose of debacle midnight in the night becoming day it orbiter sons were year is divided into season is this means the plants can grow produce food for animals, which intern become the food of other animals and so on
-Giraffes necks are long enough for them to reach the leaves on the trees that they rely on for food
-Ducks, webbed feet, help them to swim and allow them to walk and soft ground without sinking
-We are human beings have an amazing design, consider the workings of the eye or the heart
what are the criticisms of the teleological argument?
1: not all aspects of the universe seem to work, so precisely or with such order (Thirsk races divided into place which move apart and the past each other, we push against each other, causing earthquakes and volcanoes)
2: many things cause what would appear unnecessary suffering, for example, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and even disease and famine.
3: if there is a designer, can they really be described as good?
4: why can’t the universe simply be the result of random chance?
5: what about the idea of survival of the fittest nature seems very cruel with some animals obviously, less well designed than others.
what are the hidden assumptions of the teleological argument?
1: just because the universe is complicated, doesn’t mean that is down to one designer
2: If God is on the universe, how do we know he’s still there?
3: pointing out a good design, like the human eye doesn’t necessarily mean a good God created these things there are things that are imperfect and faulty.
What is the argument from religious experience? (long version)
✖️ somethings happen, which go against the laws of nature, and cannot be explained by reason or science, religious believers might call these miracles.
✖️ others claim they have experienced God at a private or personal level in a supernatural way, —
for example, he has spoken to them in a dream. An angel has appeared to them in a vision or God has answered their prayer or perhaps they have just felt his presence while worshipping.
✖️ between 25% and 45% of the British population have claimed to have an experience of a presence or power beyond themselves
✖️ experiencing the power of prayer, —
healing or feeling strengthened to cope with a situation
✖️ experiencing a general revelation from God—
Christians, believe that God has revealed himself to the world in the person of Jesus, and they also consider the Bible to be gods message to humankind
✖️ a conversion experience—
When a person has moved to change their life, based on a sense that they’re called by God to put fifth of the centre of their life
What is the argument from religious experience (short version)
if someone experiences something than that something exists, some people claim to have experienced God therefore God exists.
explain the principle of credulity
CN people normally assume that what they experience in every day life through a sentence is true, so the same should go for a religious experience however, he recognise that special consideration should be given to certain circumstances, for example, after taking out drugs, going without food for those who have a history of hallucinations.
explain the principle of testimony
If you normally believe, would another person tells you that it is reasonable to believe what he or she tells you about a religious experience, however, he does recognise that there are reports from liars, drug users or those with negative motives.
