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    Aquinas argued that while revelation settles the question... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→The impossibility of an eternal world cannot be demonstrated, nor can its possibility be demonstrated.

    Aquinas argued that while revelation settles the question, unaided reason can establish that creation ex nihilo requires a temporal first moment.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.An infinite regress of causes is metaphysically impossible; therefore creation requires a first cause.
      ?

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    • 2.Actual infinities cannot exist in the physical world; a beginningless universe involves an actual infinite.
      ?

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    • 3.Causation requires temporal priority; a causeless effect would violate basic logical principles.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Modern physics permits a causally closed, beginningless universe (e.g., quantum cosmology models).
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The principle of sufficient reason doesn't entail temporal priority; God could create eternally.
      ?

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    • 3.Aquinas himself held God's knowledge is eternal, suggesting creation needn't have a temporal beginning.
      ?

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    Modality & Possibility1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Actual infinities cannot exist in the physical world; a beginningless universe i...An infinite regress of causes is metaphysically impossible; therefore creation r...Aquinas himself held God's knowledge is eternal, suggesting creation needn't hav...Causation requires temporal priority; a causeless effect would violate basic log...
    +3 moreShow less
    Modern physics permits a causally closed, beginningless universe (e.g., quantum ...The impossibility of an eternal world cannot be demonstrated, nor can its possib...The principle of sufficient reason doesn't entail temporal priority; God could c...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit