Copleston/Russell debate

Created by: millyrobinson
Created on: 03-05-16 16:33

Copleston's main argument

1) Centred around Aquinas' third way and Leibniz' 'sufficient reason' 2) contingent things do not contain their own explanation 3) there must be a external explanation for the universe and this must be necessary 4) we must try looking for this

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Weaknesses of Copleston's argument

1) based on the assumption that the universe MUST have a cause 2) just because human mind craves an explanation does not mean there is one.

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Russell's opposition

1) we would have to search whole universe to find sufficient reason and this is not possible 2) when does an explanation become adequate? 3) explanation for universe is beyond human reach.

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Weaknesses of Russell's argument

1) does not offer alternative idea or theory 2) not open minded to the idea of a sufficient reason

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General

1) radio debate was in 1948 2) started the debate by establishing a definition of God as a supreme personal being distinct from the world and the creator of the world

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

1) based on the assumption that the universe MUST have a cause 2) just because human mind craves an explanation does not mean there is one.

Back

Weaknesses of Copleston's argument

Card 3

Front

1) we would have to search whole universe to find sufficient reason and this is not possible 2) when does an explanation become adequate? 3) explanation for universe is beyond human reach.

Back

Card 4

Front

1) does not offer alternative idea or theory 2) not open minded to the idea of a sufficient reason

Back

Card 5

Front

1) radio debate was in 1948 2) started the debate by establishing a definition of God as a supreme personal being distinct from the world and the creator of the world

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Copleston/Russell debate