1C Inductive Argument: Challenges

David Hume

David Hume

18th-century Scottish philosopher known for challenging inductive arguments for the existence of God.

Cosmological arguments

Arguments concerning the existence of causes, which raised concerns for Hume.

First cause

The idea of a primary cause, which Hume found illogical due to concepts of eternity and infinity.

Fallacy of composition

Term coined by Russell, building on Hume's idea that applying a principle from a part to the whole is arbitrary.

Teleological argument

Argument based on design, criticized by Hume using the watchmaker analogy.

Watchmaker analogy

Comparison between a mechanical watch and the universe, challenged by Hume and Paley.

Big Bang theory

Scientific theory proposing the universe originated from a singularity.

Theory of evolution

Darwin's theory suggesting order emerges from unpredictable and random processes.

Natural selection

Process where organisms adapt to their environment, contrasting foresight with blind evolution.

Gaia hypothesis

Lovelock's theory viewing the world as a self-regulating system of interactions between organisms and their surroundings.

David Hume

• how can something that exists from eternity have a cause, since it implies priority in time and a beginning of existence?How

• absurd to inquire for a general cause or first author

Bertrand Russell

• just because humans have a mother doesn’t mean that the whole humanity has a mother

• the universe is just there

Richard Dawkins

the only watchmaker in nature is the blind forces of physics