THE COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

THE COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

The cosmological argument is a classical argument for the existence of God. It is an a posteriori argument, as it attempts to prove the existence of God based on observation of the universe.

HISTORY: 

• Plato argued for the necessity of a 'self-moved mover'; cause and effect are necessary mechanisms for the universe to exist and function.  In Timaeus he named this first cause the 'demi-urge', and everything created originates from him.

• Aristotle observed that things in motion are moved by something else and this series of movers cannot go back to infinity; thus there must be some first mover.

AQUINAS developed the most popular version of the cosmological argument,and the first three of his five ways to prove the existence of God form the cosmological argument.

• THE FIRST WAY: Motion. It is observable of the universe that…