3.2.3.4 Critiques of Cosmological Arguments

• What do cosmological arguments primarily focus on?

  Origin and nature of universe
• If the premises of a cosmological argument are true, the conclusion that there must be a first cause logically follows


  True
• The Kalam cosmological argument focuses on the universe beginning to exist
• Arguments for infinite regress suggest that the universe could be infinitely old
• An infinite series of causes cannot be completed because it lacks a beginning


  True
• One criticism of causality is that it may not apply to the universe
• Structure of a typical cosmological argument

  1️⃣ Everything that begins to exist has a cause

  2️⃣ The universe began to exist

  3️⃣ Therefore, there must be a first cause
• The Kalam argument differs from the First Cause argument in its focus on the beginning of the universe

  True
• The argument for infinite regress proposes that there is no need for a first cause
• An infinite chain of causes depends on an uncaused entity to initiate the sequence.
• The universe itself may not be subject to the causal principle, as it is the origin of all existence.
• Quantum physics suggests events can occur without a clear cause.
• Quantum indeterminacy at the quantum level challenges the premise that everything that begins to exist has a cause.
• Cosmological arguments are a type of argument for the existence of God that focus on the universe
• What are two common examples of cosmological arguments?

  Kalam and First Cause
• The First Cause argument emphasizes the impossibility of an infinite regress of causes


  True
• Match the argument against infinite regress with its key point:

  Logical Paradox ↔️ Infinite series cannot be complete

  Dependency on the Uncaused ↔️ Chain depends on an uncaused entity
• The argument for infinite regress suggests that the universe could be infinitely old
• Cosmological arguments focus on the origin and nature of the universe
• The logical paradox argument against infinite regress suggests that an infinite series cannot be complete
• The concept of an infinitely old universe eliminates the need for a first cause.

  True
• Quantum indeterminacy suggests that some events may occur without a clear cause.


  True
• The need for an uncaused first cause contradicts the principle of sufficient reason.


  True
• Steps in the structure of cosmological arguments

  1️⃣ Everything that begins to exist has a cause

  2️⃣ The universe began to exist

  3️⃣ Therefore, there must be a first cause
• Match the cosmological argument with its key premise:

  Kalam Cosmological Argument ↔️ The universe began to exist

  First Cause Argument ↔️ Infinite regress of causes is impossible
• What concept do criticisms of cosmological arguments often focus on?

  Infinity
• The concept of infinity is a key focus in criticisms of cosmological arguments
• The debate over infinite regress highlights fundamental disagreements about cosmological arguments


  True
• Cosmological arguments assume the universe began to exist


  True
• The Kalam cosmological argument relies on the premise that the universe began to exist
• An infinite chain of causes depends on an uncaused entity to initiate the sequence


  True
• What is one argument against the possibility of infinite regress based on logical paradoxes?

  An infinite series cannot be completed
• What fundamental disagreement is highlighted by the debate over infinite regress in cosmological arguments?

  Existence of a first cause
• What is considered conceptually incoherent about the notion of an "uncaused first cause"?

  Violates the causal principle
• What does the Eternal Universe Model posit about the universe's origin?

  The universe has no beginning