Skip to content
Carmelics
Topics
Thinkers
Changes
Contributors
Loading account…
Statements
321,452
Perspectives
108,905
Topics
42
Home
/
Original
/
inverse
See Original
Inverse View
It is not the case that There exists a first cause or ground of the cosmos that is, at least in part, not identical to the cosmos itself.
?
Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.
Reasons For
2 perspectives
Reason for 1 of 2
?
1.
The principle of sufficient reason, when applied universally, generates vicious regress or requires the cosmos itself to be its own sufficient reason.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
If the cosmos can be its own sufficient reason, no external first cause is logically necessitated by P2.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.
Spinoza's substance monism demonstrates a coherent metaphysical system in which the single infinite substance is causa sui, requiring no external ground.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Reason for 2 of 2
?
1.
Hume's Enquiry establishes that causal necessity is a habit of mind projected onto experience, not a feature of reality itself.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
If causal necessity is not an objective feature of reality, P2's claim that existence 'requires' a first cause lacks ontological force and reduces to a psychological tendency.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Reasons Against
1 perspective
Reason against
?
1.
Something exists — the cosmos or some empirical content of experience — rather than nothing.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
The existence of something requires a first cause or sufficient ground for that existence.
?
How convincing is this?
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.