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Flashcards in theme 1- inductive arguments Deck (31)
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1
Q

inductive reasoning

A

when people draw conclusions from particular examples. we see things happening a lot, and then we conclude that they always, or usually happen. the person doing the reasoning uses their sensory experiences to make rules or predictions

2
Q

inductive arguments lead to conclusions…

A

that might be true but could also be false

3
Q

example of an inductive argument

A

i have seen 800 swans. all the swans are white therefore all swans are white

4
Q

empirically

A

using knowledge gained through the experiences of any of the 5 senses

5
Q

examples of inductive arguments

A
  • cosmological

- teleological

6
Q

inductive proof

A

argument constructed on evidence &/or experience that puts forward a possible conclusion based on these

7
Q

posit

A

to pull forward, or state a fact/belief usually as the basis for an argument or conclusion

8
Q

a posteriori

A

a statement that is based on actual observation, evidence, experimental data or experience- relates to inductive reasoning

9
Q

cosmological arguement- the first way

A

the unmoved mover

‘that which all men call god’

10
Q

cosmological argument

A

has 5 arguments to prove the existence of god

11
Q

efficient cause -1st way

A

the ‘third party’ that moves potentiality to actuality

12
Q

potentiality -1st way

A

the ability to be able to become something else

13
Q

actuality -1st way

A

when something is in its fully realised state

14
Q

aquinas- the unmoved mover

A

when we observe the universe we notice that things tend to be in a state of motion. he noted that things do not do this of their own accord but are instead moved by something else

15
Q

aquinas- the unmoved mover (2)

A

if we look down this sequence of movements we would have to eventually come to something that started the whole sequence.
as all things in the universe are either moving or movers, we need to find a point that started these things- means to look outside of the universe- this being is no other than god

16
Q

the second way

A

the uncaused causer

17
Q

the uncaused causer

A

deals with the concept of cause and effect. every effect has a cause and infinite regress is impossible so there must be a first cause, which we call god

18
Q

aristotle- the uncaused causer

A

thought that cause worked on four different levels:

  • material
  • efficient
  • formal
  • final
19
Q

efficient cause

A

aristotle ment the agent which makes something happen. aquinas applied this logic to the universe, arriving to the conclusion that god is the first efficient cause.

20
Q

domino analogy

A

intermediate cause:

ultimate cause:

21
Q

aquinas view on the second way

A

he states that not only the idea that cause and effect is a simple, undeniable law of the universe but it is also impossible for anything within the universe to cause itself

22
Q

aquinas view on the second way (2)

A

but if in efficient cause it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect , nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false.
therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficent cause, to which everyone gives the name god

23
Q

the third way

A

contingency

24
Q

contingent

A

anything that depends on something else

25
Q

the universe

A

exists contingently- it depends on external factors for its existence

26
Q

everything in the physical world is contingent in two ways

A
  • they depend on something bringing them into existence

- they depend on something for the continuation of their existence

27
Q

aquinas and contingency

A

everything in the universe is contingent.
contingent things depend on something else to bring them into existence, so unless there is some being that is capable of bringing things into existence independent of everything else, nothing would have started

28
Q

necessary being

A

aquinas contention that a non- contingent being is necessary for contingent beings to exist. it is this necessary being that is the source of all existence for all other contigent beings

something must exist that is unlike everything else in existence. it has no beginning or end- it has necessary existence- this is god

29
Q

kalam’s cosmological argument

A

developed by muslim philosophers, using the thinking of aristotle.
it relates to seeking theological principles through debate and argument

30
Q

kalams argument claims

A

that everything that begins to exist must have a cause to make it come into existence. the universe must have has a causer, as there must have been a time when it began to exist

31
Q

william lane craig

A

modern christian philosopher that supports the logic of the kalam argument.
believed that:
-an actual infinite (something which has no start no end) cant exist
-a beginningless temporal series of events cant exist as they are an actual infinite.
-example of library books