An argument which assumes that there is a first cause for an event and that first cause may be called God is considered a cosmological, or first-cause, argument. A simple version of such an argument states that:.
a) "Stuff" happens.
b) "Stuff" just doesn't happen by itself.
c) The "thing" that make "stuff" happen doesn't make itself happen.
d) There can't be an infinite number of "things" that can make "stuff" happen.
e) Therefore there must be an initial "thing" that makes "stuff" happen.
f) This initial "thing" we can call God.
Furthermore, this "stuff" that happens is referred to as being a "contingent". There are two definitions of contingent provided in the textbook, Peterson, et al. (1998): one defines a contingent being as a being which depends on other "things or circumstances other than itself" in order to exist (p. 67); the other defines it as a being that "though it exists, might not have existed" (p.97). Although there are two different definitions, both of these are connected because, a being that is considered contingent by one definition, will also be considered contingent under the other definition. The cosmological argument is broken down into two sections, the finistc first-cause argument and the infinitary first-cause argument. The finistc first-cause argument has a premise that states that there cannot be an infinite number of causes. There are some objections to this argument's statement that it is conceivable for there to be an infinite progression in causes thru time, but it is inconceivable for there to be an infinite regression of causes in time. The objection arises because it is, in fact, conceivable for there to be an infinite regression in time, just as it is conceivable for there to be an infinite number of positive and negative integers. The infinitary first cause argument allows there to be an infinite regression of causes in time but still states that there is a Necessary Being (God) that is responsible for all individual beings.
Matthew Todisco Phil. 103 July 20, 2002 Kant's theory of morality is the most feasible in determining a person's duty in a moral situation. The basis for his theory is perhaps the most noble of any, acting morally because doing so is the right thing to do. His ideas, no matter how vague or over...
In North America, there are three broad-spectrum categories of belief concerning evolution assuming an individual believes in a supernatural being: creation science, theistic evolution, and naturalistic evolution. ... "Theistic evolution states that the universe is about 14 billion years old. ... Naturalistic evolution is the same as theistic evolution, but proposes that God had no hand in it. ...
In North America, there are three broad-spectrum categories of belief concerning evolution assuming an individual believes in a supernatural being: creation science, theistic evolution, and naturalistic evolution. ... "Theistic evolution states that the universe is about 14 billion years old. ... Naturalistic evolution is the same as theistic evolution, but proposes that God had no hand in it. ...
Buddhism is an extremely unique religion in many ways. The major aspect of Buddhism that sets it apart from all other religions is that its founder Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha, claims to be a human and only a human (rahula, p. 1). The Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not...
In light of Foreman's sentiments through a memoir dubbed, "Approaching the Question on God's existence" I believe the burden of proof rests on the legitimacy of the defendant in view of the anti-theistic challenge. The anti-theistic challenger should establish credentials to earn the right to challenge central version in the theory of theism. ... As with all posteriori arguments, the theistic explanations are only logically possible as stated the plausible evidence. ...
There are three claims that he is famously known for: (1) that man is the measure of all things, (2) that he could make the "weaker argument appear stronger," and (3) that there was no proof of theistic views, and he could not tell if the gods existed or not. ...
Judaism: Monotheistic, ritualistic, and the base of Christianity and Islam. Christianity: Monotheistic (while subtly tri-theistic), very open, and spawned from Judaism. Islam: Ditto, but with an Arabic flair. These are essentially the basic similarities of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism i...
Major theistic religions see God as a lawgiver who creates laws for us to obey. This notion, later elaborated upon and coined the Divine Command Theory, was once pondered by the Greek philosopher Socrates. In a recorded dialogue, he posed what is considered to be one of the greatest philosophical q...
