Philosophy: First Cause Argument Quiz

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What characterizes an inductive argument?

It is based on faith rather than evidence

It provides premises to support the conclusion (correct)

It requires deductive reasoning

It leads to a universal truth

What type of evidence are the inductive arguments for the existence of God based on?

Anecdotal evidence

A-priori evidence

Empirical evidence (correct)

Testimonial evidence

Which team is used in the example to illustrate an inductive argument?

Chelsea

Manchester United

Manchester City (correct)

Arsenal

What is the main focus of this theme related to inductive arguments for God’s existence?

Challenges to inductive arguments Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence is a-posteriori evidence also known as?

Empirical evidence Signup and view all the answers

According to Aquinas' Way 2, what did he argue about the chain of intermediate causes and effects?

It cannot logically go back an infinite number of times. Signup and view all the answers

What did Aquinas use as an analogy to illustrate his Way 2?

A series of falling dominos Signup and view all the answers

What did Aquinas observe about the world in his Way 3?

It consists of contingent beings. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Aquinas argue that there must have been a first causer according to his Way 2?

Because it is logically impossible for anything to cause itself. Signup and view all the answers

What did Aquinas argue about every effect in the universe in his Way 2?

It has an intermediate cause. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aquinas' cosmological arguments, the 'Unmoved Mover' is best described as:

The first cause that initiated all subsequent causes. Signup and view all the answers

In Aquinas' cosmological argument, the concept of 'Contingency & Necessity' refers to:

The distinction between things that exist because of something else and things that exist out of necessity. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aquinas' cosmological arguments, a pile of wood being turned into a fire by a match exemplifies:

The necessity of a first changer. Signup and view all the answers

How does Aquinas' cosmological argument differ from Aristotle's concept of the 'Prime Mover'?

Aquinas' 'Unmoved Mover' is synonymous with Aristotle's 'Prime Mover'. Signup and view all the answers

What empirical observation forms the basis of Aquinas' Way 1 – The Unmoved Mover?

The concept of potentiality and actualization in changing states. Signup and view all the answers

According to the argument, why is the concept of actual infinities considered absurd or impossible?

Because it results in the illogical situation where there must be as many red books as there are total books, despite the presence of a set of black books. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Craig argue against 'potential infinities' as well?

Because the universe can only be an actual infinity and not a potential infinity due to its actual history. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did Craig's argument receive regarding 'actual infinities'?

It failed to address the concept of potential infinity. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the argument claim that there must be as many red books as there are red and black books combined?

Because both red and black books are infinite and have no beginning or end. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Craig argue that a beginningless infinite universe cannot exist?

Because actual infinities, including a beginningless infinite universe, are considered absurd or impossible. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aquinas, why must there be a necessary being?

To prevent an infinite regression of caused necessary beings with no complete explanation. Signup and view all the answers

Which theologian simplified Aquinas’ Third Way and argued that the universe itself must be contingent?

Frederick Copleston Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of William Lane Craig’s Kalam Cosmological Argument?

Explaining how the universe was caused and why it began to exist. Signup and view all the answers

Why does William Lane Craig argue that an actual infinity cannot exist?

Due to an analogy of a library with an actual infinite number of books. Signup and view all the answers

What makes Aquinas’ argument different from Frederick Copleston’s and William Lane Craig’s arguments?

Aquinas emphasizes the distinction between caused and uncaused necessary beings. Signup and view all the answers