Cosmological arguments Flashcards
Aquinas’ 3 ways, Kalam argument, Leibniz’ PS (22 cards)
State Aquinas’ first way
- Evident to our senses in motion, we can see things are moved
- These things require something else to be moved as they can’t move by themselves
- A chain of movement can’t go on forever
- Therefore, a First Mover exists
Scientific responses to Aquinas’ first way
For:
Big Bang theory suggests the universe had to have had a beginning. This is because since we can observe the universe is expanding and getting cooler, if we rewind time, it must have been getting smaller and hotter. If we rewind so much to the beginning of time, we must have had an infinitely hot, and small singularity which one day exploded and cooled to make the universe.
1929 observations of Hubble at Mount Wilson observatory confirms the theory of the expansion of the universe because of the light of distant galaxies which seemed to be getting redder which may be explained by the stretching of their light waves and thus, moving away from us.
Against:
Steady State Theory states that whilst the universe is expanding, the density of the universe doesn’t change due to continuous creation of matter— so no end or beginning
Loop Theory proposes, that in each cycle, the universe refills with hot, dense matter and radiation which brings a universe of expansion and cooling. After 14 billion years, the expansion accelerates, as we can observe, and after trillions of years, the matter and radiation are almost completely dissipated and the expansion sops. An energy field pervades the universe and creates new matter and radiation, continuing the cycle
Philosophical responses to Aquinas’ first way
For
Gottfried Leibniz argues that sufficient reason principle requires an external explanation even if the universe is infinite, since the universe can’t explain its own existence
Against:
By principle of simplicity, isn’t it more reasonable to suppose that objects in motion have always existed than to suppose they cane from something
Hume argues that we can’t trust our perception of cause and effect as it could it be an illusion
Fallacy of composition, just because parts of the universe have a mover, doesn’t mean the universe needs a mover
State Aquinas’ 2nd way & main objection
- Things that exist are contingent
- The universe is made entirely of contingent things
- The universe is contingent
- The universe needs an external explanation of a necessary being
Objection: fallacy of composition
State Aquinas’ third way & main objection
- Everting that exists has a cause of its existence
- The universe exists
- The universe has a cause of its existence
- Therefore, the cause is God
Objection: Bertrand Russel asks about the cause of God, since Aquinas argues He exists— fallacy of composition
What is Leibniz’s principle of sufficient reason?
- Everything that exists has an explanation of its existence, either in their necessity of it’s own nature or in an external explanation
- The universe exists and cant explain its own existence
- The universe has an explanation of its existence
- Therefore, the explanation of the existence of the universe is grounded in a necessary being
For the universe to be necessary, it must be changeless and eternal.
Scientific responses to Leibniz
For:
Big Bang theory suggests the universe had to have had a beginning. This is because since we can observe the universe is expanding and getting cooler, if we rewind time, it must have been getting smaller and hotter. If we rewind so much to the beginning of time, we must have had an infinitely hot, and small singularity which one day exploded and cooled to make the universe.
1929 observations of Hubble at Mount Wilson observatory confirms the theory of the expansion of the universe because of the light of distant galaxies which seemed to be getting redder which may be explained by the stretching of their light waves and thus, moving away from us.
Heisenberg uncertainty principle argues that we cant know both the position and speed of a particle, such as a photon or electron, with perfect accuracy and certainty
Kochen-Specker theorem states that the outcome obtained depends on the context at that time and can’t be predicted.
Therefore, the universe isn’t changeless
Against:
Steady State Theory states that whilst the universe is expanding, the density of the universe doesn’t change due to continuous creation of matter— so no end or beginning
Loop Theory proposes, that in each cycle, the universe refills with hot, dense matter and radiation which brings a universe of expansion and cooling. After 14 billion years, the expansion accelerates, as we can observe, and after trillions of years, the matter and radiation are almost completely dissipated and the expansion sops. An energy field pervades the universe and creates new matter and radiation, continuing the cycle
State the kalam argument
- Whatever begins to exist has a reason of its existence
- The universe began to exist
- Therefore the universe has a cause of its existence
Philosophical responses to the Kalam argument
For
- this does not contradict its own premises unlike Aquinas’ cosmological arguments and does not commit fallacy of composition
Against:
By principle of simplicity, isn’t it more reasonable to suppose that objects in motion have always existed than to suppose they cane from something
Hume argues that we can’t trust our perception of cause and effect as it could it be an illusion
Scientific responses to the kalam argument
For
Big Bang theory suggests the universe had to have had a beginning. This is because since we can observe the universe is expanding and getting cooler, if we rewind time, it must have been getting smaller and hotter. If we rewind so much to the beginning of time, we must have had an infinitely hot, and small singularity which one day exploded and cooled to make the universe.
1929 observations of Hubble at Mount Wilson observatory confirms the theory of the expansion of the universe because of the light of distant galaxies which seemed to be getting redder which may be explained by the stretching of their light waves and thus, moving away from us.
Heisenberg uncertainty principle shows different measure of particles could have been determined by an observer resulting in different outcomes
Against
Steady State Theory states that whilst the universe is expanding, the density of the universe doesn’t change due to continuous creation of matter— so no end or beginning
Loop Theory proposes, that in each cycle, the universe refills with hot, dense matter and radiation which brings a universe of expansion and cooling. After 14 billion years, the expansion accelerates, as we can observe, and after trillions of years, the matter and radiation are almost completely dissipated and the expansion sops. An energy field pervades the universe and creates new matter and radiation, continuing the cycle
Religious responses to cosmological arguments
Many religious people, whether Roman Catholic or Muslims would agree with the principles of the cosmological argument. However, depending on the logic reasoning of each argument, some religious may agree or disagree on them.
Arguments in favour
- Roman Catholics/ Muslims believe God is the Creator and He is the cause for everything else as He created everything
- Muslims believe that God is Eternal and transcendent, so it would make sense for him to be present before the Big Bang even took place
- God according to Muslims doesn’t need anyone or thing as He is unique, and all-powerful, therefore, He is the necessary being
Quran 51:47 (Al-dhariyat) regarding to proof of the Big Bang and expanding universe
“We built the universe with might, and we are certainly expanding it
Surah (Al-Anbiya) talking about singularity in the Big Bang
“The heavens and the earth were one mass then we split them apart .”
Surah Al-baqarah which shows Muslims support for Aquinas’ contingency and necessity argument
“Allah, there is no deity except Him, the ever-living, the sustainer of existence.”
Which surah is this verse found in ? “Allah, there is no deity except Him, the ever-living the sustainer of existence.”
Al-baqarah
Which surah is this verse found in? “The heavens and the earth were one mass then we split them apart .”
Surah Al-anbiya
Which surah is this verse found in? “We built the universe with might, and we are certainly expanding it
Surah al-dhariyat
Which of aquinas’ ways is this?
1. everything that exists has a cause of its existence
2. The universe exists
3. The universe has a cause of its existence
4. Therefore, the cause is God
3rd way— causation
Which of aquinas’ ways is this?
1. Things that exist are contingent
2. The universe is made entirely of contingent things
3. The universe is contingent
4. The universe needs a necessary being
2nd way— contingency
Which of aquinas’ ways is this?
1. Evident to our senses in motion, we can see things are moved
2. These things require something else to be moved as they can’t move by themselves
3. A chain of movement can’t go on forever
4. Therefore, a First Mover exists
1st way — motion
What could be used to argue against legitimacy of the fallacy of composition?
In Astronomy, scientists use scientific information and data they already know about planets in our solar system to anticipate or predict what planets which do not have the sun as a star would be like. Therefore, they are assuming that characteristics which apply to planets with the sun as a star, will also apply to planets which do not (exoplanets).
From this, it can be argued that if this is used in science, it may not be completely wrong to use this method In philosophy to forward thinking and potential arguments
what phenomen in quantum physics can explain the appearance of particles in and out of existence for no apparent reason?
Particles appear from a fluctuation of energy contained in a vaccum— thus, they don’t come from nothing
