Notes for philosophy

Cosmological Argument

An argument for God's existence stating that everything that begins to exist must have a cause, and the universe must have a first cause (God).

Teleological Argument

Also called the 'design argument,' it claims that the complexity and order in the universe suggest an intelligent designer (God).

Pascal’s Wager

A practical argument that says believing in God is the safest choice because the possible reward (heaven) is infinite.

Paradoxes of Theism

Logical problems that arise when trying to define God’s attributes, such as omnipotence (all-powerful) and omniscience (all-knowing).

Problem of Evil

The argument that the existence of evil and suffering challenges the idea of an all-good, all-powerful God.

Hilbert’s Hotel

A thought experiment that shows the strange nature of actual infinities, used to argue that an actual infinite number of things is impossible.

Infinite Regress

A sequence of reasoning that never ends, often used to argue that there must be a first cause (God).

Free Will Defense

A response to the Problem of Evil that says humans have free will, which explains why evil exists.

Soul-Making Theodicy

The idea that suffering helps humans grow morally and spiritually.

Oscillating Model

A once-popular idea that the universe expands and contracts in cycles, challenging the idea of a definite beginning.

Logical Fallacy

An error in reasoning that makes an argument weak or invalid.

Copi’s Rules

Rules for valid reasoning in logic, some of which help distinguish between good and bad arguments.

Kalam Cosmological Argument

A modern version of the Cosmological Argument that emphasizes the impossibility of an infinite past.