• Inductive reasoning is a posteriori (post-experience), depending on empirical evidence to reach a possible and most probable conclusion.

• The cosmological argument uses the evidence of the existing and contingent universe as the basis for suggesting an origin – a first cause.

• Aquinas presented three arguments based on motion (change), causes and contingent existence. All motions, causes and contingencies necessitate a first cause that is unmoved, uncaused and necessary.

• The first way: is in motion. An object has the potential to become something different; Potential and actual are two different states of being and it is the actual state of another entity that moves the potential in one thing towards its actual state. There is a constant state of movement in the world but an infinite regress would mean no first mover and therefore no movement now which is illogical. There must be a First Mover; this is what we call God.

• The second way: is cause. Nothing that exists could be self-caused (by being in both actual and potential states simultaneously) since this would mean that existed brings itself into existence; this is illogical. An infinite regress of causes would mean no First Cause and hence no causes now. There must be a First Cause; this is what we call God.

• The third way: is contingency. Contingent (temporary) beings have the possibility of not existing. This means that at one time there must have been no beings in existence. Nothing can bring something into existence; therefore, there must be an original being that is noncontingent; this necessary being is God.

• The Kalam argument is an ancient Arabic argument based similarly on the notion of a First Cause. William Lane Craig developed the Kalam argument.

• Craig acknowledged that everything has a cause for its existence that is both temporal and temporary. The universe began to exist and no scientific explanation can provide a causal account for this since an actual infinite is not possible. Therefore, there must be a different understanding of the universe as potentially infinite to which temporal events can be added. This notion of a potentially infinite universe necessitates a First Cause which is best explained by the notion of a personal being such as God.

Key Quotes:

• “There’s is no case known…in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself” -Thomas Aquinas.

• Empiricists claim that sense experience is the ultimate source of our concepts and knowledge”- John L. Mackie.

• “The only way to have an eternal cause but a temporal effect would be if the cause is a personal agent who freely chooses to create an effect in time” - William Lane Craig.

Key arguments:

• Scientifically sound and evidence-based argument, verified by others supporting argument (cumulative)

• The conclusion is flawed; it’s only one possibility because it is inductive. Becomes a groundless explanation.

• Infinite regress possible without a first cause and Craig’s notion of a personal agent is a false dichotemy.

Key questions:

• Can an inductive argument be strong enough for proof?

• Are the challengers enough to destroy the cosmological?

• Is a First cause credible conclusion?

• Is there any alternative explanation or conclusion to be drawn from the debate?