Regarding the Cosmological Argument - 1564 Words

Regarding the Cosmological Argument The goal of the cosmological argument is to support the claim that God exists as the first cause of the universe. According to Nagel, the argument runs as following: (P1) Every event must have a cause. (P2) If every event must have a cause, event A must have a cause B, which in turn must have a cause C, and so on. (P3) There is no end to this backward progression of causes. (C1) This backward progression of causes will be an infinite series of event. (P4) An infinite series of events is unintelligible and absurd. (P5) The existence of the universe does not result from an unintelligible and absurd process. (P6) The existence of the universe does not result from an infinite series of events. (C2)†¦show more content†¦If God’s existence is not an event, then P1 (â€Å"Every event must have a cause†) does not apply to it and it is not necessary for God’s existence to have a cause, even if it is granted that every event is caused. Thus, Nagel’s argument that God’s existence must have a cause because every event must have a cause is not sound. Although the second part of Nagel’s objection, directed towards the response â€Å"God is self-caused,† is reasonable, it contains a small weakness. If God can be â€Å"self-caused,† and there is no sufficient reason as to why only God can cause itself to exist, then it is logical to think that the universe can also be self-caused. The weakness of this argument is the difference between God and the universe. The universe consists of all events and is inseparable from them. No event in the universe, so far, has been self-caused, thus many components of the universe demands a cause other than themselves. It is difficult to imagine the universe to be self-caused when so many of its components are not. God, on the other hand, is often thought to exist outside of the universe due to its timelessness. Similar to abstract objects such as numbers, God does not have a temporal location and its existence is not associated with any event. To imagine God to be self-caused do es not involve the same kind of difficulty as imagining the universe to be self-caused, since no part of God demands a cause other thanShow MoreRelatedThe Cosmological Argument643 Words   |  3 PagesThe Cosmological Argument An important argument to try and prove the existence of God is the Cosmological Argument brought on by observations of the physical universe, made by Saint Thomas Aquinas, a thirteenth century Christian philosopher. The cosmological argument is a result from the study of the cosmos; Aquinas borrows ideas from Aristotle to make this systematically organized argument. Aquinas’ first point begins with the observation that everything is moving. 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McCloskey, he argues that both these arguments are false and insufficient as it relates to â€Å"proof† of God’s existence. McCloskeyRead MoreQuesti ons On An Argument On The Existence Of A Prime Mover, Or Creator ( Or God )1603 Words   |  7 PagesPart 1: Clarifying an Argument State the argument you find in Passage 1 in explicit premise-and-conclusion form. PASSAGE 1: (P1) Every event must have a cause. (P2) An infinite series of events is inconceivable. (P3) There must be a first cause. (C1) The first cause must have at least been the originator of the universe. (C2) The first cause is God. PASSAGE 2: Nagel’s Counterargument (P1) Positing the existence of a first cause does not explain away the infinite regressionRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article On Being An Atheist 1538 Words   |  7 PagesGod’s existence has been challenged by many philosophers and non-philosophers alike. Arguments that have been used to support the existence of a divine being includes the cosmological argument and the theological argument. However there are some who oppose these arguments and philosopher H.J. McCloskey is among this group. In the article â€Å"On Being an Atheist† written by H.J. McCloskey, he argues that both these arguments are false and insufficient as it relates to â€Å"proof† of God’s existence. McCloskeyRead MoreRegarding The Topic Of Theism, One Must Take Into Consideration1357 Words   |  6 PagesRegarding the topic of theism, one must take into consideration several factors when justifying or repudiating its reasonableness-- due to its subjective and therefore controversial na ture, it is quite difficult to say precisely whether theism is justified or otherwise. Personally, I am not convinced of either position yet, and as a recently converted Christian (in other words, I am still relatively new to the ideals surrounding western theology) both arguments seem plausible and require furtherRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article On Being An Atheist1136 Words   |  5 Pages H. J McCloskey in his article, On Being an Atheist, is trying to show the readers are more reasonable and comfortable belief than that of Christianity. In the article he also puts up an argument concerning two theistic point of which is the cosmological and teleological argument. McCloskey also talks about the problems resulting from all the evil in the world. He goes as far to point out this evil in a world the God had made and blames God for it. Due to that fact and other issues, he believes