The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Hypothesis of a Quiescent Universe
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Thomas Aquinas' Argument from Motion & the Kalām Cosmological
University of Central Florida STARS Honors Undergraduate Theses UCF Theses and Dissertations 2020 Rethinking Causality: Thomas Aquinas' Argument From Motion & the Kalām Cosmological Argument Derwin Sánchez Jr. University of Central Florida Part of the Philosophy Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the UCF Theses and Dissertations at STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Undergraduate Theses by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Sánchez, Derwin Jr., "Rethinking Causality: Thomas Aquinas' Argument From Motion & the Kalām Cosmological Argument" (2020). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 858. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/858 RETHINKING CAUSALITY: THOMAS AQUINAS’ ARGUMENT FROM MOTION & THE KALĀM COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT by DERWIN SANCHEZ, JR. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors in the Major Program in Philosophy in the College of Arts and Humanities and in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Fall Term 2020 Thesis Chair: Dr. Cyrus Zargar i ABSTRACT Ever since they were formulated in the Middle Ages, St. Thomas Aquinas’ famous Five Ways to demonstrate the existence of God have been frequently debated. During this process there have been several misconceptions of what Aquinas actually meant, especially when discussing his cosmological arguments. While previous researchers have managed to tease out why Aquinas accepts some infinite regresses and rejects others, I attempt to add on to this by demonstrating the centrality of his metaphysics in his argument from motion. -
The Teleological Argument Looks at the Purpose of Something and from That
The teleological argument looks at the purpose of something and Cosmological arguments start with observations about the way The Third Way: contingency and necessity William Paley (1742 – 1805) observed that complex objects work from that he reasons that God must exist. Aquinas (1224 – 1274) the universe works and from there these try to explain why the with regularity, (seasons, gravity, etc). This order seems to be the gave five ‘ways’ of proving God exists and this, his teleological universe exists. Aquinas gives three versions of the cosmological Aquinas’ point here is that everything in the universe is result of the work of a designer who has put this regularity and arguments, starting with three different (although similar) argument, is the fifth of his five ways. contingent – it relies on something to have brought it into order into place deliberately and with purpose. For example, the observations: motion, causation and contingency. Aquinas, influenced by Aristotle, believed that all things have a existence and also things to let it continue to exist. eye is constructed perfectly to see. For Palely, all of this pointed to purpose, but we cannot achieve that purpose without something The First Way: the unmoved mover a designer, who is God. In nature, there are things that are possible ‘to be’ and to make it happen – some sort of guide, which is God. Inspired by Aristotle, Aquinas noticed that the ways in which things ‘not to be’ (contingent beings) The analogy of the watch move or change (changing state is a form of motion) must mean These things could not always have existed because that something has made that motion take place. -
PAUL TILLICH and PROCESS THEOLOGY TYRON INBODY Adrian College, Michigan
PAUL TILLICH AND PROCESS THEOLOGY TYRON INBODY Adrian College, Michigan HE TEMPORALIZING of the great chain of being has been one of the most Timportant shifts in the modern history of ideas.1 Both Paul Tillich and the process theologians share in this great revolution, the former through the Hegelian tradition, the latter through the impact of modern biology and physics on philosophy. One would imagine more fruitful dialogue between these two traditions than actually existed. The mutual isolation can in part be accounted for on the basis of the European background of Tillich as opposed to the British-American background of the process tradition. The differences, however, are primarily and genuinely philosophical and religious. Our purpose in what follows is to trace the discussion that did occur, isolate the fundamental issues, and question whether the issues can be resolved. AREAS OF AGREEMENT There are many areas of agreement, theologically and philosophically, between Tillich and the process theologians. First, both criticize their understanding of classical theism in favor of a more philosophically and religiously adequate doctrine of God. Theism is inadequate either because it makes God one being alongside other beings (Tillich) or because it entails static perfectionism (Hartshorne). In agreement with classical theism, but each in his own way, both maintain there is an infinite distinction between God and creatures, Hartshorne in the sense that there is a literally infinite gap between a finite-infinite individual and a merely finite individual,2 Tillich in the sense that God is beyond all finite distinctions. Furthermore, the element of mystery remains in the doctrine of God for each man, for Tillich in terms of the abysmal character of God, for Hartshorne in terms of God's concrete character (namely, why He should be my God now). -
The Design Argument
The design argument The different versions of the cosmological argument we discussed over the last few weeks were arguments for the existence of God based on extremely abstract and general features of the universe, such as the fact that some things come into existence, and that there are some contingent things. The argument we’ll be discussing today is not like this. The basic idea of the argument is that if we pay close attention to the details of the universe in which we live, we’ll be able to see that that universe must have been created by an intelligent designer. This design argument, or, as its sometimes called, the teleological argument, has probably been the most influential argument for the existence of God throughout most of history. You will by now not be surprised that a version of the teleological argument can be found in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. You will by now not be surprised that a version of the teleological argument can be found in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas is noting that things we observe in nature, like plants and animals, typically act in ways which are advantageous to themselves. Think, for example, of the way that many plants grow in the direction of light. Clearly, as Aquinas says, plants don’t do this because they know where the light is; as he says, they “lack knowledge.” But then how do they manage this? What does explain the fact that plants grow in the direction of light, if not knowledge? Aquinas’ answer to this question is that they must be “directed to their end” -- i.e., designed to be such as to grow toward the light -- by God. -
Religion (RLGN) 1
Religion (RLGN) 1 RELIGION (RLGN) RLGN 4000 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion (4 Credits) This course begins with a brief overview of the history of the study of religion in the west, from antiquity to the modern period. When we reach the modern period, the course shifts to considering 'representative' theories of religion, broken down roughly along ideological and/or disciplinary lines. RLGN 4105 Empire and the Rise of Christianity (4 Credits) This course covers approximately the first five centuries of Christian history with a view toward understanding the role empire played in the rise of Christianity, both in terms of the confluence between Christianity and the Roman Empire as well as its role in the development of Christian beliefs, practices, production of discourse, institutions, and strategies of social control. RLGN 4106 Second Century Life & Thought (4 Credits) An attempt to understand Christian life and thought in the Roman Empire in the Second-century by analyzing primary sources. RLGN 4107 Women in Early Christianity (4 Credits) An exploration of the role women played in early Christianity, with attention given to the social and literary constructions of women in Greco-Roman antiquity. RLGN 4108 Jewish and Christian Non-Canonical Literature (4 Credits) This seminar examines Jewish and Hellenistic backgrounds; the social scientific study of early Christianity; and the New Testament in its literary environment. RLGN 4109 Formation of the Bible (4 Credits) This course focuses on the development of the Christian Bible. Some attention, however, will be given to the emergence of the Jewish canon, primarily as it relates to and impacts the Christian canon. -
Original Monotheism: a Signal of Transcendence Challenging
Liberty University Original Monotheism: A Signal of Transcendence Challenging Naturalism and New Ageism A Thesis Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Divinity in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries by Daniel R. Cote Lynchburg, Virginia April 5, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Daniel R. Cote All Rights Reserved ii Liberty University School of Divinity Thesis Project Approval Sheet Dr. T. Michael Christ Adjunct Faculty School of Divinity Dr. Phil Gifford Adjunct Faculty School of Divinity iii THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY THESIS PROJECT ABSTRACT Daniel R. Cote Liberty University School of Divinity, 2020 Mentor: Dr. T. Michael Christ Where once in America, belief in Christian theism was shared by a large majority of the population, over the last 70 years belief in Christian theism has significantly eroded. From 1948 to 2018, the percent of Americans identifying as Catholic or Christians dropped from 91 percent to 67 percent, with virtually all the drop coming from protestant denominations.1 Naturalism and new ageism increasingly provide alternative means for understanding existential reality without the moral imperatives and the belief in the divine associated with Christian theism. The ironic aspect of the shifting of worldviews underway in western culture is that it continues with little regard for strong evidence for the truth of Christian theism emerging from historical, cultural, and scientific research. One reality long overlooked in this regard is the research of Wilhelm Schmidt and others, which indicates that the earliest religion of humanity is monotheism. Original monotheism is a strong indicator of the existence of a transcendent God who revealed Himself as portrayed in Genesis 1-11, thus affirming the truth of essential elements of Christian theism and the falsity of naturalism and new ageism. -
Evil and the Ontological Disproof
City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 9-2017 Evil and the Ontological Disproof Carl J. Brownson III The Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2155 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] EVIL AND THE ONTOLOGICAL DISPROOF by CARL BROWNSON A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Philosophy in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, City University of New York 2017 1 © 2017 CARL BROWNSON All Rights Reserved ii Evil and the Ontological Disproof by Carl Brownson This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Philosophy in satisfaction of the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Date Graham Priest Chair of Examining Committee Date Iakovos Vasiliou Executive Officer Supervisory Committee: Stephen Grover, advisor Graham Priest Peter Simpson Nickolas Pappas Robert Lovering THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK iii ABSTRACT Evil and the Ontological Disproof by Carl Brownson Advisor: Stephen Grover This dissertation is a revival of the ontological disproof, an ontological argument against the existence of God. The ontological disproof, in its original form, argues that God is impossible, because if God exists, he must exist necessarily, and necessary existence is impossible. The notion of necessary existence has been largely rehabilitated since this argument was first offered in 1948, and the argument has accordingly lost much of its force. -
Process Theology
Ba-derekh: On the Way— APresentationofProcessTheology BRADLEY SHAVIT ARTSON ji Introduction Process Theology—a constellation of ideas sharing the common assertion that the world and God are in continuous, dynamic change, of related interaction and becoming—can be unsettling at first glance. We take for granted what it means to be conventionally religious, and those traditional- ist assumptions make it difficult to open ourselves to an engaging and explanatory way to conceive and connect to an embracing faithfulness. Much of what Process Thought will offer as an alternative may sound shocking, perhaps even irreligious, if this is a first encounter with Process Thought. I want to provide an image that makes it possible, at least, to work through the shock and discomfort to some degree. It is still possible to reject this dynamic/relational approach, and that is your privilege; but the opening image may help create the possibility of a new understanding. IliveinwestLosAngelesinahomethatwasbuiltinthe1950s.Ourdin- ing room has wood paneling along its four walls. When we first bought the house a decade ago, the room was painted a sickly green, presumably in the late 70s during the high watermark of the aesthetics of the Brady Bunch and Partridge Family. The actual wood grain and tone were covered, though I think that in that era people thought such a look was cutting edge. With that greenish coat of paint, the walls looked fake and cheap. When we final- ly got around to repainting the upstairs of the house, we asked our painter if he could just paint the phony paneling a simple white because the green was hideous. -
Three Argument's for God's Existence Kant's Criticisms O
Kant’s Arguments for God’s Existence Introduction Background: Three Argument’s for God’s Existence Kant’s criticisms of these three arguments Ground vs. Cause: Kant’s reason for rejecting constructive proofs of God’s existence Kant’s first argument for God’s existence: God’s existence as the foundation of causal explanation Kant’s second argument for God’s existence: Natural orderliness as being grounded in the coherence of God’s mind Kant’s third argument for God’s existence: morality as grounded in the coherence of God’s mind Kant’s arguments for God as transcendental arguments Introduction Kant puts forth three arguments for God’s existence---or, what might be more accurate, three very different versions of a single such argument. Each is original and none has any obvious flaws. This is not to say that they prove what they are meant to prove, only that, if they fail to do so, it is not immediately clear why. Background: Three Argument’s for God’s Existence When philosophers try to prove God’s existence, it is almost always by way of one of the following three arguments: the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, and the teleological argument. Kant rejects each of these arguments, and his own arguments are to be understood in terms of this fact. Right now, I will state and evaluate these arguments, and then I will state and evaluate Kant’s arguments. The ontological argument: God is by definition perfect; failure to exist is an imperfection; therefore, God must exist. Analysis: This argument is a total failure, since all it shows is the truism is that if God existed, then, having as he would every conceivable perfection, he would exist— since, in other words, all it shows is that if God existed, then God would exist. -
Modern Moral Theory: a Process Response
MODERN MORAL THEORY: A PROCESS RESPONSE by BRADFORD O. DOWNS (Under the Direction of William Power) ABSTRACT The dominant consensus in modern moral theory suggests that comparative judgments concerning moral values can be adequately made apart from theism. Building on the thought of Charles Hartshorne and other process thinkers, I hold that values such as good, desirability, or importance are meaningless unless we posit God, properly understood in a metaphysical theory, as real and the basis or telos according to which moral values are established and measured. INDEX WORDS: Process, Process Theology, Neoclassical, Moral Theory, Theistic Arguments, Global Argument, Charles Hartshorne, Immanuel Kant MODERN MORAL THEORY: A PROCESS RESPONSE by BRADFORD O. DOWNS A.B., The University of Georgia, 2001 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS ATHENS, GEORGIA 2003 © 2003 Bradford O. Downs All Rights Reserved MODERN MORAL THEORY: A PROCESS REPSONSE by BRADFORD O. DOWNS Major Professor: William Power Committee: Carolyn Medine Bradley Bassler Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I INTRODUCTION Moral Theory and the Ground of Moral Assertions………………1 II MODERN MORAL THEORY Ethical Nihilism: A Response to Secularism……………………………4 The Modern Consensus in Moral Philosophy…………………………………5 Autonomy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 III THE MORAL RELIGION -
Kant on the Cosmological Argument
Philosophers’ volume 14, no. 12 Introduction may 2014 Imprint In the section of the first Critique entitled “The Ideal of Pure Reason,” Kant constructs an elaborately layered critique of the so-called “cos- mological proof” of the existence of God.1 He portrays the cosmologi- cal argument (as I shall more neutrally term it) as having three main phases.2 First, one observes that there is at least one existent being, and argues that it exists contingently (28: 1006). Second, appealing to the Principle of Sufficient Reason, one argues for the existence of Kant on the an absolutely necessary being as the ultimate cause (A 605/B 633n*) or ground (28: 1006) of this contingently existing being. Third, one argues that this absolutely necessary being is a most real being — or ens realissimum (A 605–6/B 633–34). In “The Ideal,” Kant presents Cosmological Argument this third step as drawing the argument to a close (A 606/B 634). But, judging by his discussion in the Religion Lectures, he sometimes con- ceives of the argument as intended to be completed by a sort of coda in which one argues that the absolutely necessary being, since it is an ens realissimum, must possess each of the traditional “divine attributes.”3 Kant raises three main objections to this version of the cosmologi- cal argument. First, it “presupposes” the correctness of the ontological argument in the sense, apparently, of tacitly incorporating the onto- logical argument as a proper part (A 607/B 635; A 608–9/B 636–7). Second, it commits an ignoratio elenchi, a fallacy of arguing for some- thing other than what was at issue (A 609/B 637). -
A Typology of Responses to the Philosophical Problem of Evil in the Islamic and Christian Traditions of Evil in the Islamic and Christian Traditions
A Typology of Responses to the Philosophical Problem A Typology of Responses to the Philosophical Problem of Evil in the Islamic and Christian Traditions of Evil in the Islamic and Christian Traditions Jon Hoover Jon Hoover Divine and Human Ways of Dealing with Evil Divine and Human Ways of Dealing with Evil Islam and Christianity both give accounts of how God deals with things like Islam and Christianity both give accounts of how God deals with things like unbelief, sin, injustice, suffering, and alienation, things that we can bring unbelief, sin, injustice, suffering, and alienation, things that we can bring together under the rubric of ‘evil’. For Christians, God confronts evil by entering together under the rubric of ‘evil’. For Christians, God confronts evil by entering history to redeem his creation, primarily in Jesus Christ (soteriology). For history to redeem his creation, primarily in Jesus Christ (soteriology). For Muslims, God deals with evil by sending messengers and books to guide Muslims, God deals with evil by sending messengers and books to guide humankind, culminating in Muhammad the Prophet and the Holy Qur’an humankind, culminating in Muhammad the Prophet and the Holy Qur’an (prophetology/nubuwwa). Shi’i Muslims add that God continues to guide and (prophetology/nubuwwa). Shi’i Muslims add that God continues to guide and sustain the world through the Hidden Imam. sustain the world through the Hidden Imam. Although Muslims and Christians tell different stories of how God Although Muslims and Christians tell different stories of how God overcomes evil, we share the problem of how to cope with the fact that God overcomes evil, we share the problem of how to cope with the fact that God has not yet eliminated evil completely.