Kalam cosmological argument

What does it focus on?

Focuses on the coming into being of the universe

What does this show?

The argument explicitly involves temporal causation. Causation is conceived in a horizontal sequence of temporal events. Effects then can continue independently of the causal activity of the temporally first cause

Who came up with the Kalam Cosmological argument?

William Lane Craig in the late 20th century

Explain the Kalam cosmological argument

P1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause of its existence

P2. The universe began to exist(an infinite regress is not possible)

C1. So, the universe has a cause of its existence

What does Craig argue?

Scientific explanation applies within the universe and therefore cannot apply to its actual creation. The only other option is that it would have a personal explanation, e.g. intentionally created by an intelligent mind

How does Craig respond to the possibility of an infinite regress?

Rejects the possibility, the idea that infinity could exist in reality. Sets with infinite members can paradoxically be equal in size to their subsets. Craig claims problems arise when applying this into reality

What reasoning does Craig provide against the possibility of infinite regress?

Provides a posteriori reasoning

What do critics think?

They attack the cosmological argument by arguing that there could be an infinite regress and therefore no first cause

What does Hume believe?

An infinite regress cannot be ruled out a priori, since a finite regress can be denied without contradiction.

What example does Craig use to argue against infinite regress?

In an infinite library with half its books being red, a subset would be both smaller than and equal to its set(all books). For Craig, that proves that an ‘actual infinite’ cannot exist in reality

What type of argument is the Kalam Cosmological argument?

Deductive. Therefore, if both premises are true, the truth of the conclusion follows necessarily.