The Cosmological argument Flashcards
(7 cards)
What does the cosmological argue for?
The argument attempts to infer the existence of G-d from the existence of the cosmos or from phenomena within it
What is Aquinas’ first way?
The unmoved mover:
- Everything that is in motion is moved by another
- Infinite regress is not possible
- Therefore there must be a first mover
What is Aquinas’ second way?
The uncaused causer:
- Every effect has a cause
- Infinite regress is impossible
- Therefore there must be a first cause
What is Aquinas’ third way?
Possibility and necessity: (Copleston)
- Some contingent beings exist
- If any contingent beings exist then a necessary being must exist
- Therefore, a necessary being exists (G-d)
Outline the Kalam Cosmological argument
The Kalam C.A. is a islamic based argument, inspired by Aquinas’ second way, and was created by Al-Ghazali to prove the existence of G-d through the cosmos:
- Everything that begins to exist must have a cause
- The universe began to exist
Therefore, the universe must have a cause (G-d)
Briefly give some objections of the cosmological argument
Hume: “it commits the fallacy of composition”, just because things in the universe have a cause doesn’t mean the universe has a cause
Russell: If everything that exists has a cause then that must mean that G-d has a cause, however this would then go on to infinity and G-d would then not be the ultimate cause of the universe
Craig: Responds to Russell’s criticism stating G-d is a necessary being meaning that he is an uncaused causer
Essay plan
P1:
- outline uncaused causer (second way)
- Russell criticism
- Craige response
P2:
- Third way (necessity)
- Hume counter
- KCA and bigbang states the universe had a beginning
P3:
- Sufficient reason - everthing must have a cause or explanation
- Kant says we have not experienced G-d so we cannot know if he is necessary
- G-d arguably reveals himself to some humans (e.g. in the Bible)
