Philosophy of Self-Existent Being

Self-Existent Being

• Exist by their own nature, not contingent on other beings.
• Argument structure includes:
  • Premise: Every being is either dependent or self-existent.
  • Premise: An infinite chain of dependent beings is not tenable.
  • Conclusion: A self-existent being must exist.

Deductive Validity & Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR)

• Deductive Validity ensures if premises are true, the conclusion follows.
• PSR posits every fact requires an explanation.
• Application of PSR supports:
  • The classification of beings as dependent or self-existent.
  • Arguing against infinite regress in dependent beings.

Criticisms of the Second Premise

• Collection Fallacy: Asserting the need for an external cause for aggregated dependent beings.
• Causal Inference Error: Assuming that caused parts necessitate a caused whole.
• Sufficient Explanation: Claiming explaining individual entities suffices for the whole.
• Proponents counter that the entire series needs an independent explanation, distinct from individual explanations.

Debate on PSR

• Critics suggest some facts may exist without explanation, questioning PSR’s universality.
• Defenders consider PSR an intuitive truth essential for rational thought.

Conclusion of Cosmological Argument

• The contention of not every being being dependent is significantly challenged.
• The ongoing debate centers around the necessity of PSR for the existence of beings.

Richard Taylor - Metaphysics

• God as Creator aligns with concepts of a beginningless world.
• Analogy: God as the sun—first cause of daylight, akin to creation.
• Existence's age does not determine its reliance on a creator.

Nature of the World: Order vs. Complexity

• Complexity complicates comprehension of natural order.
• Design and order are not mere coincidences; purpose is evident.
• Natural laws necessitate a designer; they cannot create intricate designs on their own.
• Ignorance of design details doesn’t invalidate the conclusion of purposeful design.

Self-Reproducing Watch

• A watch creating another reinforces the argument for an intentional designer.
• The existence of a reproducing entity supports intentional design rather than negating it.

Application to Nature

• Complex natural objects, including eyes and animals, imply an intelligent design, despite imperfections.

Richard Dawkins - Critique of Religion and the Argument from Design

• Criticizes religion for perceived violence and oppression.
• Believes belief in God leads to suffering and wasted time.
• Reasons for belief in God often stem from perceived complexity in the natural world.

Fine-tuning Argument

• Fine-tuning suggests specific conditions for life existence can indicate a designer.
• Premise 1: Fine-tuning is likely if God exists to purposefully create life.
• Premise 2: Under atheism, fine-tuning appears improbable.
• Many atheists explain fine-tuning through a many-universe hypothesis.

Objections to Fine-Tuning Argument

• More Fundamental Law Objection: Each fundamental law requires explanation, similar to the original question of design.
• Other Forms of Life Objection: Different life forms still require conditions, dismissing randomness.
• Anthropic Principle Objection: Our existence does not justify the randomness of the universe.
• The “Who Designed God?” Objection: Not all complexity demands an explanation; even complex entities can arise within theism.

Many-Universes Hypothesis

• Proposes multiple universes exist with differing conditions.
• Two models:
  • Vacuum fluctuation models: Spontaneous formation of universes.
  • Oscillating Big Bang models: Universes collapse and re-form cyclically.

Reasons to Reject Many-Universes Hypothesis

• Lack of evidence for independent support of hypothesis.
• Universe generator problem: Hypothetical generators still require fine-tuning.
• Initial conditions of order (low entropy) in the universe are unlikely by chance.

Conclusion on Many-Universes Hypothesis

• The hypothesis presents significant drawbacks compared to theism, making atheism less viable.

Ivan’s Doubt About Loving Others

• Ivan believes true love is difficult due to flawed human nature and societal hypocrisy.
• Questions the existence of God in light of suffering and cruelty.

The Problem of Evil

• Children suffering raises deep ethical and moral questions about God’s existence.
• Society’s hypocritical responses to suffering force a critique of faith and morality.

Alyosha’s Hopeful View

• Alyosha posits that loving others, despite flaws, is indeed possible.

False Accusers Scenario

• Examines the failures of beliefs based on insufficient evidence, showing moral irresponsibility.
• Separates belief from action—act responsibly based on thorough investigation.

The Social Impact of Belief

• Emphasizes the communal responsibility of beliefs and their effects on society.
• False beliefs can lead to harmful societal actions and weaken truth-seeking abilities.