Argument for the Existence of God Flashcards
A Priori
Knowledge that does not require experience or evidence.
A Posteriori
Knowledge that is dependent on experience or evidence.
Telos
Greek term meaning ‘end’ or ‘purpose’.
Teleological Argument
The argument for the existence of God from the evidence of order, and hence design, in nature.
Design Argument
An argument for the existence of God based on perceived evidence of deliberate design in the natural or physical world.
Design Qua Purpose
The idea that the universe was designed for a particular purpose.
Watchmaker Analogy
A teleological argument, which by way of an analogy, states that design of creation (like a watch) implies a designer.
Inductive Argument
An argument that reaches a conclusion based on probability rather than conclusive proofs/fact.
Cosmological Argument
An argument for the existence of God which claims that all things in nature depend on something else for their existence.
Unmoved Mover
A being that causes no movement or change without being moved or changed itself.
Uncaused Cause
A being that is the cause of the universe but has no cause itself (it is eternal).
Necessary Being
A being that does not depend on anything else for its existence.
Contingent Being
A being that depends on something else for its existence.
