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
    There exists a being from which the world received its ex... — Carmelics
    Home/Natural Theology
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    There exists a being from which the world received its existence.

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.The world is created.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A created thing must receive its being from some other being that existed prior to it.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The concept of 'prior existence' presupposes time, yet time itself may be a feature of the world rather than a precondition for it.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If time originates with the world, there is no coherent temporal 'before' in which a creator could exist and act causally.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, the causal premise requires a non-temporal sense of priority that has never been adequately specified or defended.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Spinoza demonstrated that a single infinite substance (Deus sive Natura) can be both the immanent cause and the totality of existence without ontological remainder.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If the world is a necessary mode of an infinite self-caused substance, it does not 'receive' existence from an external being but expresses necessary existence internally.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The supporting argument's P2 illicitly assumes a transitive, external relation of causation where an immanent, necessary relation may suffice.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

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

    Topics

    Natural Theology

    Connections

    1 topic

    Causation1 linked

    Related

    A created thing must receive its being from some other being that existed prior ...If the world is a necessary mode of an infinite self-caused substance, it does n...If time originates with the world, there is no coherent temporal 'before' in whi...Spinoza demonstrated that a single infinite substance (Deus sive Natura) can be ...
    +4 moreShow less
    The concept of 'prior existence' presupposes time, yet time itself may be a feat...The supporting argument's P2 illicitly assumes a transitive, external relation o...The world is created.Therefore, the causal premise requires a non-temporal sense of priority that has...

    Similar

    The world is a being which begins to exist85%If God exists, God is the creator of the natural world and is not a ca...83%Necessary beings exist.82%Every being in the world has an explanation in some previously existin...81%

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: john-norris
    View source passageHide passage
    Norris first argues for the existence of an ideal counterpart to nature. Since the world is created, “it must of necessity receive its Being from some other Being that was when it self was not” (18). He considers the nature of a being that is capable of bringing existence from absolute privation, and concludes such a being must be infinitely powerful. Relying upon the premise that all action is guided by thought, and that God could not have thought about the world because it did not exist at the
    Extraction notes

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

    Details

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