The cosmological argument
- Created by: Em171
- Created on: 07-04-14 17:34
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- The Cosmological argument
- Aquinas' three ways
- Second way: the uncaused causer
- -Every effect has a cause
- -Nothing can cause itself
- -Infinite regress is impossible
- without a 1st cause, wouldn't be a second cause
- -So, must be a first cause which causes everything else but is uncaused itself
- if something is caused by something else its not the first cause, and something cannot of caused itself as this would mean it pre-existed
- Must be an uncaused causer
- GOD
- Third way: possibility and necessity
- The universe is full of contingent things
- Start /end /have to exist /dependent on something else to exist
- If there was nothing in the past, there would be nothing now
- There is somthing now
- The universe
- So there must of always been something as there is a universe now
- If everything is contingent, then at one time there would of been nothing
- But then nothing could exist now
- Must be one necessary being thats always existed and causes all contingent things
- GOD
- The universe is full of contingent things
- First way: the unmoved mover
- -Everything in motion is moved by something else(know by observation)
- changed from potential to actual by something actual
- Example: burning wood
- wood -potential to burn
- can't change itself
- needs something actual to change it from potential to actual
- can't change itself
- wood -potential to burn
- Example: Ice melting/ acorn
- Example: burning wood
- changed from potential to actual by something actual
- -Something cannot change itself
- -Infinite regress is impossible
- Leibniz Principle of sufficient reason
- -world is rational
- -we have reason
- -there should be a complete satisfactory rational explanation or response to any question
- Leibniz Principle of sufficient reason
- -So, must be an external source of change which itself is unchanged
- An unmoved mover (first mover)
- GOD
- An unmoved mover (first mover)
- -Everything in motion is moved by something else(know by observation)
- He knows God exists due to......
- Natural theology
- Uses humans inbuilt capabilities of observation/reason to learn about God
- 5 'ways' to God
- Reason to confirm what you already believe
- Revealed theology
- We only know as God told us
- 'I am that I am' (Exodus)
- We only know as God told us
- Natural theology
- Second way: the uncaused causer
- Based on observation/ experience
- Inductive argument
- premise true, argument true, conclusion probably true
- A posteriori argument
- after experience
- Inductive argument
- Coppleston: Cause in esse
- There are some things that are contingent
- World consists of all things that have becoem actualised
- The explanation of the universe must be found in a cause external to it
- Explanation of universe must be a necessary being
- external to universe /causes everything /itself causeless
- GOD
- external to universe /causes everything /itself causeless
- In esse- still sustains
- Ontological casue
- The Kalam argument
- Argues for a temporal first cause
- Whatever begins to exist has a cause
- The universe began to exist
- So, the universe has a cause
- Argues for a temporal first cause
- Strengths
- Based on empirical evidence
- Reliable, there is logical reasons for it
- Its plausable and coherent
- Supported by revelation
- Genesis
- Fits with features of theistic God
- Useful to Religion?
- Yes
- Gives intellectual support for belief in God
- Only God can provide an explanation that requires no futher explanation
- Reveals nature of God (unmoved mover/ sustainer/necessary being)
- No
- Argument flawed
- Draws conclusions that go beyond evidence
- Inductive - not proof
- Religion is faith not intelectual arguments
- Proof leads no room for faith
- Yes
- Aquinas' three ways
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