The Cosmological argument

• What question does Leibniz pose regarding existence?

  “Why is there something rather than nothing?”
• What do cosmological arguments claim about God's existence?

  They claim God explains what exists.
• What type of argument is the typical cosmological argument?

  A posteriori, based on observations.
• How are cosmological arguments categorized?

  By causation and contingency.
• What is Aquinas' first way from motion about?

  • Motion is any kind of change.
  • Change requires potential to change.
  • Observations lead to the conclusion of a first mover.
• What does Aquinas mean by motion in his argument?

  Any kind of change or actualization of potential.
• What is the first premise (P1) of Aquinas' first way?

  We observe motion.
• What does P2 of Aquinas' first way state?

  Motion is the actualization of potential.
• According to Aquinas, how can a thing come to be in motion?

  By being moved by something else.
• What does P4 of Aquinas' first way assert?

  A mover must be something that is actual.
• What conclusion (C1) does Aquinas reach about things in motion?

  All things in motion must have been moved by something else.
• What does P6 of Aquinas' first way imply?

  There must be a first mover, which is unmoved.
• What does Aquinas' second way focus on?

  Atemporal causation.
• What is the first premise (P1) of Aquinas' second way?

  We observe efficient causation.
• What does P2 of Aquinas' second way state?

  Nothing can cause itself.
• What does P3 of Aquinas' second way describe?

  A logical order to sustaining causes.
• What conclusion (C1) does Aquinas reach in his second way?

  There must be a first sustaining cause.
• What does C3 of Aquinas' second way assert?

  The first cause must itself be uncaused.
• What are the two types of efficient causation according to Aquinas?

  • Sustaining causation
  • Temporal causation
• What is temporal causation described as?

  A horizontal sequence of effects over time.
• How does Aquinas illustrate temporal causation?

  A father creates a son independently.
• What is sustaining causation described as?

  A vertical hierarchy of continual effects.
• How does Aquinas illustrate sustaining causation?

  A hand moves a stick, which moves a stone.
• Why is sustaining causation considered atemporal?

  It involves ontological relationships of dependence.
• What does Aquinas mean by "first" in his arguments?

  Ontologically first, not temporally first.
• What does Aquinas think about infinite regress in temporal series?

  It is possible for a temporal series.
• What does Edward Feser argue about sustaining series?

  A primary cause is required for causal power.
• What does Aquinas mean by "no motion or causation" without a first cause?

  There would be no existence in the series.
• What does Feser say about a paintbrush's causal power?

  A paintbrush cannot move itself.
• What does Copleston argue about the first mover?

  It is necessary to explain motion now.
• What does the Kalam cosmological argument focus on?

  The coming into being of the universe.
• Who popularized the Kalam cosmological argument?

  1. L. Craig.
• What does P1 of the Kalam argument state?

  Everything that begins to exist has a cause.
• What does P2 of the Kalam argument assert?

  The universe began to exist.
• What conclusion (C1) does the Kalam argument reach?

  The universe has a cause of its existence.
• What does Craig argue about scientific explanation and the universe?

  It cannot apply to the universe's creation.
• What qualities must the cause of the universe have?

  It must be omnipotent and timeless.
• What does Craig argue against the possibility of an infinite regress?

  Actual infinite cannot exist in reality.
• How does Craig illustrate the absurdity of an infinite library?

  Green books are both less and equal to total.
• What does Craig argue about traversing an infinite?

  We could never reach this moment.