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3.2 Arguments Relating to the Existence of God
3.2.3 Cosmological Arguments
3.2.3.4 Critiques of Cosmological Arguments
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Cards (35)
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