What does the Kalam cosmological argument say?
What does the Kalam cosmological argument say?
William Lane Craig is the most recognizable contemporary defender of the kalam cosmological argument. The argument, in its simplest form, is that (i) Whatever begins to exist has a cause of its existence, (ii) The universe began to exist, and (iii) Therefore, the universe has a cause of its existence.
What are the three cosmological argument?
He therefore states his argument in three points- firstly, everything that begins to exist has a cause of its existence; secondly, the universe began to exist; so, thirdly, therefore, the universe has a cause of its existence.
What is the first premise of the kalam cosmological argument?
The first premise of the Kalam argument – that everything which begins to exist has a cause of its existence – should be interpreted to mean that all things that begin to exist have an efficient cause for their existence.
What is the main objection to the cosmological argument?
One objection to the argument is that it leaves open the question of why the First Cause is unique in that it does not require any causes. Proponents argue that the First Cause is exempt from having a cause, while opponents argue that this is special pleading or otherwise untrue.
What is the Kalam theory?
The most prominent form of the argument, as defended by William Lane Craig, states the Kalam cosmological argument as the following syllogism: Everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe has a cause.
Is Kalam cosmological argument convincing?
John Taylor complains that the Kalam cosmological argument gives the appearance of being a swift and simple demonstration of the existence of a Creator of the universe, whereas in fact a convincing argument involving the premiss that the universe began to exist is very difficult to achieve.
What type of argument is the cosmological argument?
The cosmological argument is less a particular argument than an argument type. It uses a general pattern of argumentation (logos) that makes an inference from particular alleged facts about the universe (cosmos) to the existence of a unique being, generally identified with or referred to as God.
Who is the founder of the cosmological argument?
cosmological argument, Form of argument used in natural theology to prove the existence of God. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa theologiae, presented two versions of the cosmological argument: the first-cause argument and the argument from contingency.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument?
Terms in this set (9)
- Strength: It’s an ‘a posteriori’ argument.
- Strength: God is a simple explanation.
- Strength: Infinite regress is unlikely.
- Strength: It’s logical.
- Weakness: Inconsistent notion of necessary being.
- (Comeback) God is not bound by universal laws.
- Weakness:
- Weakness:
Who Criticised the cosmological argument?
One recent critic of the Cosmological Argument, Ronald Hep- burn, has stated our problem as follows: When we are seriously speaking of absolutely everything there is, are we speaking of something that requires a cause, in the way that events in the universe may require causes?
Who came up with Kalam argument?
theologian al-Ghazali
3 The Kalam Cosmological Argument The Kalam Cosmological Argument was first formulated by the medieval Muslim theologian al-Ghazali (1058-1111). He introduced a simple syllogism to support the idea that the universe has a cause of its existence.
Who created Kalam argument?
