Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Creation ex nihilo is impossible

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The inference from observed developmental processes to divine inability commits a category error: God's omnipotence is not constrained by natural regularities.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Al-Razi's argument presupposes that the 'easier' path for God would be instantaneous creation, but Leibnizian and Thomistic traditions hold that God's goodness may require mediated processes for creatures to participate in their own perfection.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If developmental processes serve intrinsic goods—such as allowing creatures to be genuine secondary causes—then their existence is compatible with, not evidence against, creation ex nihilo.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The Kalām cosmological argument, developed by al-Kindi and later Aquinas, establishes that an actually infinite regress of prior material causes is logically impossible, requiring an uncaused first cause that produces being from non-being.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If no prior material substrate is logically available at the absolute origin of the universe, then creation ex nihilo is not merely possible but metaphysically necessary to avoid an infinite regress.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.We constantly observe things being produced through lengthy processes of development rather than instantaneous manifestation
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Instantaneous manifestation would be far easier and involve less suffering than lengthy developmental processes
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.God would not cause things to come about through lengthy, suffering-involving processes (such as childbirth and growth to maturity) if He could simply make them exist from nothing
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.