Things that are dependent on something else for their existence. In the Cosmological argument, contingent implies the existence of something necessary
Cosmos
Referring to this space-time universe. The study of the universe is called cosmology
Fallacy
A failure in reasoning which makes an argument invalid
Fallacy of Composition
The fallacy of inferring that something is true of the whole from the fact that it is true of the part of the whole. It is assuming that 'what it is true of the part is true of the whole'
Occam's razor
Philosophical principle that the simplest explanation is usually the best one. It refers to 'shaving off' unnecessary additions
Brute fact
A fact that needs no explanation
Infinte regress
An indefinite sequence of causes or beings which does not have a first member of the series
Principle of sufficient reason
The doctrine that everything must have a reason or cause - every contingent fact about the universe must have an explanation
