Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

RE Paper 2:Philosophy > Theme 1:Arguments For The Existence Of God > Flashcards

Theme 1:Arguments For The Existence Of God Flashcards

(66 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Define Inductive Reasoning

A

Drawing conclusions from particular examples

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define priori arguments

A

When the truth can be found out without prior knowledge or experience

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define posteriori arguments

A

When the truth needs to be found with further investigation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define cosmological argument

A

Arguments for the existence of God based on the existence of the universe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What was Aquinas text where he talked about the 3 ways

A

Summa Theologica

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are Aquinas’ 3 ways

A

Motion
Casualty
Contingency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Is Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument Inductive or Deductive

A

Inductive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

3 features of Aquinas First Way

A

Infinite regress is impossible

There must be an unmoved mover, a being who began the movement of everything

Unmoved mover=God

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What example does Aquinas use to explain potentiality and actuality

A

Wood and fire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

3 features of Aquinas wood and fire analogy

A

When fire is applied to wood the wood changes to achieve its potential to become hot
Wood as it stands= actuality
Fire can make it hot = potentiality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which one of Aquinas’ ways does he use the wood and fire analogy

A

First Way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Aquinas’ second way

A

Causality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define Sufficient Reason

A

An adequate reason that explains the cause of an event

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define efficient cause

A

That which causes change and motion to start/stop

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What quote by Aquinas in Summa Theologica explains the second way

A

“The second way is from the nature of efficient causes”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Give 3 features of Aquinas’ 2nd way

A

There are a series of causes and effects in this universe

Series of causes and effects cannot go to infinity so there must be a first uncaused cause

First cause= God

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define contingent beings

A

Beings that exist then cease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define necessary beings

A

Eternal beings that have to exist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

3 features of Aquinas 3rd way

A

Universe is contingent because infinite regress isn’t real
Only a necessary being could’ve started the Universe
Necessary being= God

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Main scholar for Kalam Cosmological Argument

A

William Lane Craig

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

3 features of Kalam Cosmological Argument

A

Actual Infinite is mathematically impossible
There had to be a cosmic beginning e.g Big Bang
That cosmic beginning was started by God

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Does Hume support or reject the Cosmological Argument

A

Reject

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are Hume’s 2 arguments for rejecting the Cosmological Argument

A

The Inductive Leap
Fallacy of Composition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Define the Inductive Leap

A

When an argument makes an assertion based on assumption rather than clear evidence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Define the Fallacy of composition
When one infers that something is true of the whole from the fact that it is true of some part of the whole
26
How does Kant critic the cosmological argument
As its not posteriori because we haven't experienced the creation of the universe
27
What 2 scientific theories can be used to criticise the Cosmological Argument
Steady State Theory Big Bang Theory
28
Who invented the Big Bang Theory
Lemaître
29
Who invented the Steady State Theory
Fred Hoyle
30
Define Telelogical
Focusing on the goal or purpose
31
Which quote from Summa Theologicala explains the 5th Way
All final purposes in nature seem to have been carefully designed to support the growth and development of human life
32
Explain Aquinas 5th Way
Non living objects don't have a goal or purpose unless directed There must be a being who directs them Only being capable is God
33
Which Analogy does Aquinas use to explain his 5th way
Archer Analogy
34
Describe the Archer Analogy
An arrow reaches it goal (bullseye) being guided by an Archer Arrow= unintelligent things Goal= development of human beings Archer= God
35
What is Paley's book
Natural Theology
36
Describe Paley's Telological argument
Every complex object that shows a purpose must have a designer Earth is complex and has a specific purpose to support human life Must have a designer, designer=God
37
What analogy does Paley use to support his telological argument
Watchmaker analogy
38
Describe Paley's WatchMaker Analogy
Finding a watch on a heaf is unusual Watch is complex just like your eye Watch has a designer so should your eye That designer must be God
39
Which scholar talks about the Anthropic and Aesthetic Argument
Tennant
40
What quote from Tennant shows that the universe has a structure for human survival
"Universe is finely-tuned"
41
Explain Tennant's Anthropic Principle
Unlikely that the universe could support intelligent life but it does Humans have the ability to gain intelligence and improve through evolution God wanted humans to thrive and exist
42
What is Tennant's book
Philosophical Theology
43
Explain Tennant's Aesthetic principle
Universe is beautiful at all levels Humans have the ability to value beauty God made the universe beautiful for human satisfaction
44
Name 3 ways Hume criticises Telological argument
Organic Universe Use of Analogies Absent designer
45
How does Hume's organic Universe criticise telological argument
World is more organic than material so comparing the world to a watch is weak
46
How does Hume saying Use of Analogies critic Telological Argument
Use of Arrow and Watchmaker analogy makes God appear more human than devine limiting God as an eternal being
47
How does Hume saying Absent designer critic Telological Argument
Human designers die so the analogy shows that God may have died also disproving him as Eternal
48
Is the Ontological Argument Deductive or Inductive
Deductive
49
Define Deductive Reasoning
If premises of the argument is true, then the conclusion must be true
50
How does Anslem describe God
"That than which nothing greater can be conceived"
51
What are the 3 premises of Anslem's ontological argument
God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived If God is perfect in every way he must exist in reality If he only existed in mind we could imagine a more perfect God
52
Does Deductive arguments use priori or posteriori reasoning
Priori
53
Who criticises Anslems ontological argument
Gaunilo
54
What analogy does Gaunilo use to criticise Anslem's ontological argument
Lost Island
55
Explain Gaunilo's Lost Island Analogy
The Lost Island is that than which nothing greater can be conceived If the Lost Island does not exist we can think of a greater Island that is one that does exist Therefore the Lost Island must indeed exist in reality
56
How does Gaunilo's Lost Island criticise Anslems Ontological Argument
As the Lost Island doesn't actually exist so how can we trust Anslem's version
57
Who criticised Gaunilo's Lost Island analogy
Plantinga Anslem
58
How does Plantiga criticise Anslem's Ontological Argument
You can always think of a greater Island: bluer water, another palm tree
59
How does Anslem criticise Gaunilo's Lost Island
You cannot compare a God to an Island due to an Island being Contigent and God is necessary
60
What is Descartes book
Meditations
61
How does Descarte describe God
Supremely perfect being
62
Define predicate
Something that adds to our concept of the subject
63
How does Descartes use the idea of predicates to show God's existence
As a supremely perfect being existence is a predicate of God
64
What examples can be used to support predicates
Mountain and Valley Triangle analogy
65
How does Malcolm describe God
As an Unlimted being
66
How does Malcom's Telological argument explain God's existence
A characteristic of an unlimited being is it's necessary existence as an unlimited being can't depend on anything God is an "unlimited being"

RE Paper 2:Philosophy (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions