Cosmological Argument

Philosophy flash cards to help with the cosmological argument.

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  • Created by: Kirsty
  • Created on: 31-03-13 14:47
Is the Cosmological Argument "a posteriori" or "a priori"?
A posteriori, because it is a knowledge gained by logical deductions made from observation and experience of the material world.
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What does cosmological mean?
The Argument for the existence of God.
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What was the reason for Aquinas' "five ways"?
He wanted to show through logical thought, how the existence of God was self evident.
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What was the famous quote from Aquinas?
"Nothing comes from nothing"
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What does "Infinite regression" mean?
The idea that something goes on forever. A chain of causes and effects.
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What would Aquinas have called God?
An "Unmoved mover" and "Uncaused Causer".
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What is the First Way?
It is called the "Unmoved mover" Something must have set everything else off. That must have been an Unmoved Mover (aka God).
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What is the Second Way?
This is the "Uncaused Causer". This is very similar to the "Unmoved Mover". Everything has a cause and that means "Infinite Regress" is impossible. God is the first cause.
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What is the Third Way?
Aquinas argued that the world is made up of contingent beings as we rely on God.
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What is a "Contingent Being"?
Means humans (or plants, for example) depend on something else for their existence. We rely on God for ours.
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Which belief bases there religion on the idea of the Cosmological Argument?
Muslims. It is in the Kalam Argument in Islam.
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What were some of Hume's Criticisms?
1.Every cause doesn't always have an effect. 2.Why can't the Universe be eternal? 3.Just because we don't understand "Infinite Regression" doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
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Who were Russell and Copleston?
Russell: A philosopher of mathematics who took an atheist approach to the argument. He believed that the universe was "just there, that's all". Copleston: A Jesuit priest, philosopher. He combined Aquinas and Leibniz's argument.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What does cosmological mean?

Back

The Argument for the existence of God.

Card 3

Front

What was the reason for Aquinas' "five ways"?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What was the famous quote from Aquinas?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does "Infinite regression" mean?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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