Arguments for God's Existence (copy)

call kaiCall Kai
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/6

Last updated 1:46 AM on 10/13/24
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced
Call with Kai
Add student to class section state
Add studentsNo students in these sections. Invite them to track progress!

7 Terms

1
New cards

Kalam Cosmological Argument

  1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.

  2. The universe began to exist.

  3. Conclusion: Therefore, the universe has a cause.

Evidence: Big Bang theory; cosmic background radiation; universe expansion.

2
New cards

Fine Tuning Argument

  1. The fine-tuning of the universe is due to either physical necessity, chance, or design.

  2. It is not due to physical necessity or chance.

  3. Conclusion: Therefore, it is due to design.

Evidence: Fine-tuning constants; complexity of life; anthropic principle.
Category: Teleological Argument

3
New cards

Moral Argument

  1. If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist.

  2. Objective moral values and duties do exist.

  3. Conclusion: Therefore, God exists.

Evidence: Universal moral principles; moral experience; ethical intuitions.

4
New cards

Contingency Argument

  1. Everything has an explanation: either its own nature or an external cause.

  2. The universe is not explained by its own nature.

  3. Therefore, the universe has an external cause: God.

Evidence: Principle of sufficient reason; existence of the universe; metaphysical necessity.

5
New cards
<p>Argument from Purpose</p>

Argument from Purpose

  1. All things are ordered towards a purpose.

  2. Only an intelligent agent can direct things to their purpose.

  3. Thus, there is a divine intelligence that direct things to their purpose.

Evidence: Natural order; purposeful behavior in nature and biological systems.
Category: Teleological Argument
Source: St. Thomas Aquinas, Fifth Way

6
New cards

First Cause Argument

  1. Every effect has a cause.

  2. An infinite regress of causes is impossible.

  3. Therefore, there must be the First Cause: God.

7
New cards

Argument from Degrees

  1. We observe varying degrees of qualities like goodness and truth.

  2. These degrees imply a standard of perfection.

  3. The standard of perfection must exist: God.

Evidence: Observation of varying qualities; logical necessity of a benchmark for goodness, etc.