Origins of the universe

Question 1

Who came up with the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

Thomas Aquinas

13th century Dominican Friar & Priest

Question 2

What is the cosmological argument?

(the first cause argument)

Answer 2

Everything that exists has a cause, nothing can cause itself.
Going back in time, the chain of cause and effect cannot be infinite, there must be a first cause.
God is the first cause.

Question 3

What are the problems/strengths with the cosmological argument?

3 big problems, 2 strengths

Answer 3

problems:
1. biased (the theory revolves around his belief in God)
2. not everyone believes in this monotheistic God, it’s not a universally applicable theory
3. you need to believe all of the classical theism beliefs about God’s attributes in order to believe the theory

Strengths:
1. logical
2. rational

Question 4

What attributes of God make the cosmological argument believable for Xians?

Xians who believe in classical theism

Answer 4

1. infinite > always existed
2. Omnipotent > able to cause the universe to exist
3. Transcendent > exists outside of time and space, beyond the universe
4. He’s a spiritual being

Question 5

What is the Big Bang Theory? When was the theory created?

Answer 5

1920s
An initial singularity expanded faster than the speed of light (<1s).
The temp dropped, electrons formed, photons (light) created.
Matter cooled, stars, planets etc formed.

Question 6

What evidence do we have of the big bang theory?

Answer 6

Red shift energy & cosmic background radiation is left over

Question 7

Who discovered that the universe was expanding? What do we know will happen?

Answer 7

Edwin Hubble (the Hubble telescope)

Eventually implode, reverse when it stops growing

Question 8

what is the basis of the big bang theory?

what are the key elements of the event

Answer 8

energy and matter

Question 9

What is the account of creation also known as?

Answer 9

Genesis 1

Question 10

What is the account of creation?

context & representation of God

Answer 10

• written by ancient jews
• should be read in cultural context, not trying to answer scientific questions
• shows a monotheistic, omnipotent God that loves humans

Question 11

what is the account of creation based on

where does it come from

Answer 11

the Bible (sacred text, source of authority for Xians)

Question 12

how can the account of creation be interpreted

Answer 12

literally
- word of God
- creationist

Myth
- symbolically
- metaphorically

Question 13

What was the goldilocks enigma? Who came up with it?

Answer 13

Paul Davies
- asks why the universe appears ‘just right’ for life
- why constants (eg gravity) allow life
- anthropic principle, multiverse theory, intelligent design, unknown scientific laws

Question 14

what is the anthropic principle

Answer 14

we can only observe a universe compatible with life

Question 15

what is the multiverse theory

Answer 15

many universes exist, we live in one that supports life

Question 16

what is the intelligent design theory

Answer 16

the universe may have been created with life in mind

Question 17

what is the future scientific discovery theory

Answer 17

unknown laws or principles may explain the fine tuning of the universe

Question 18

meaning of creationism

Answer 18

the belief that universe and life originate from specific acts of Divine Creation

Question 19

summarise the theory of evolution

Answer 19

Charles Darwin’s theory
his book ‘origins of the species’
natural selection through survival of the fittest