Cosmological Argument

Definition

The cosmological argument is a philosophical proof for the existence of God based on the observation that the universe exists and must have a first cause or uncaused cause to account for its existence. It seeks to explain the universe's origin and the reason for its existence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The cosmological argument is one of the most influential and widely-discussed philosophical proofs for the existence of God.
2. It is based on the observation that the universe exists and must have a first cause or uncaused cause to account for its existence.
3. The argument posits that the universe cannot be self-caused or the result of an infinite regress of causes, and therefore must have a necessary, non-contingent first cause - which is identified as God.
4. The cosmological argument has been developed and refined by various philosophers, including Thomas Aquinas, who formulated the 'five ways' as proofs for God's existence.
5. The cosmological argument has faced numerous criticisms, such as the problem of defining what counts as a 'first cause' and the difficulty of proving that the universe cannot be self-caused or the result of an infinite regress.

Review Questions

• Explain the basic premise of the cosmological argument and how it seeks to prove the existence of God.
  • The cosmological argument is based on the observation that the universe exists and must have a first cause or uncaused cause to account for its existence. The argument posits that the universe cannot be self-caused or the result of an infinite regress of causes, and therefore must have a necessary, non-contingent first cause - which is identified as God. The argument seeks to prove the existence of God by reasoning that the universe's existence requires an initial, uncaused cause that set the entire chain of causation in motion.
• Analyze the key concepts of 'first cause' and 'contingency' within the context of the cosmological argument.
  • The cosmological argument relies on the idea of a 'first cause' - the notion that the universe must have an initial, uncaused cause that set the entire chain of causation in motion. This first cause is often identified as God. The argument also hinges on the concept of 'contingency', which holds that things in the universe are dependent on other things for their existence. The cosmological argument concludes that the universe itself must be dependent on a necessary, non-contingent being (God) since an infinite regress of causes is philosophically problematic. These key concepts of first cause and contingency are central to the cosmological argument's attempt to prove the existence of God.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument, considering the various criticisms that have been leveled against it.
  • The cosmological argument is one of the most influential philosophical proofs for the existence of God, but it has also faced numerous criticisms. A key strength of the argument is its intuitive appeal - the idea that the universe's existence requires an initial, uncaused cause seems logically compelling. However, critics have pointed out the difficulty of defining what counts as a 'first cause' and the problem of proving that the universe cannot be self-caused or the result of an infinite regress. Additionally, the argument has been criticized for failing to conclusively identify the first cause as the Christian God, as opposed to some other type of divine or impersonal force. Overall, the cosmological argument remains a subject of ongoing philosophical debate, with both proponents and critics offering compelling arguments.

Related terms

First Cause: The idea that the universe must have an initial, uncaused cause that set the entire chain of causation in motion, which is often identified as God.

Contingency: The concept that things in the universe are dependent on other things for their existence, leading to the conclusion that the universe itself must be dependent on a necessary, non-contingent being (God).

Infinite Regress: The philosophical problem of an infinite chain of causes, which the cosmological argument seeks to resolve by positing a first, uncaused cause.