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    The causal reasoning used in the Kalaam cosmological argu... — Carmelics
    Home/Natural Theology
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    The causal reasoning used in the Kalaam cosmological argument for God's existence can be applied to the universe itself.

    Causation
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    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

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    • 1.The Kalaam cosmological argument employs reasoning about origins, self-causation, and infinite causal regress to argue for a first cause.
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    • 2.The same questions about origin, self-causation, and infinite causal regress arise when inquiring into the existence of the universe.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.The Kalaam argument's causal principle ('everything that begins to exist has a cause') applies to contingent entities within the universe, not to the universe as a totality.
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    • 2.Applying intra-universal causal reasoning to the universe itself commits the fallacy of composition, as Hume argued in the Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.
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    • 3.The universe as a whole need not share the causal properties of its parts, so the inference from parts to whole is logically unwarranted.
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    Reason against 2 of 2
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    • 1.Kant demonstrated in the First Antinomy that applying temporal causation to the universe as a whole generates irresolvable contradictions, not legitimate cosmological conclusions.
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    • 2.If causal reasoning applied symmetrically to the universe, it would equally license the conclusion that the universe is self-caused or uncaused—the very alternatives the Kalaam argument seeks to eliminate for God.
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    Topics

    Natural TheologyCausation

    Related

    Applying intra-universal causal reasoning to the universe itself commits the fal...If causal reasoning applied symmetrically to the universe, it would equally lice...Kant demonstrated in the First Antinomy that applying temporal causation to the ...The Kalaam argument's causal principle ('everything that begins to exist has a c...
    +3 moreShow less
    The Kalaam cosmological argument employs reasoning about origins, self-causation...The same questions about origin, self-causation, and infinite causal regress ari...The universe as a whole need not share the causal properties of its parts, so th...

    Similar

    The cosmological argument is grounded in causal reasoning.90%The causal principle used in the cosmological argument for God's exist...88%The cosmological argument rests on the causal maxim and the principle ...87%The Kalaam cosmological argument employs reasoning about origins, self...85%

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: pantheism
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    It is notable that much of the same reasoning that theists employ in the Kalaam cosmological argument for the existence of God may be used for the universe itself. If we inquire into the origin of the universe, it may be suggested (1) that it simply began without reason, (2) that it was somehow self-creating, or (3) that its origin requires a prior cause which in turn calls for an infinite causal chain. Each of these answers has sufficient problems such that one might well prefer to argue instea
    Extraction notes

    Validity: Extracted via Max plan + API grounding/validity checks

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit