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    Therefore, invoking absolute explanation commits the trad... — Carmelics
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    Supports→Traditional defenders of the cosmological argument cannot invoke the requirement of an absolute explanation.

    Therefore, invoking absolute explanation commits the traditional cosmological arguer to a determinism incompatible with the very volitional act of a creator freely choosing to create.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Absolute explanation requires that all facts have sufficient reasons; this necessitates a fully determined causal chain with no gaps.
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    • 2.Free choice requires the ability to have acted otherwise, which is incompatible with being fully determined by prior causes.
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    • 3.A creator cannot both be the ultimate explanation for existence and possess libertarian free will simultaneously.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
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    • 1.Absolute explanation only requires explaining *why* something exists, not determining *how* a free agent must choose.
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    • 2.Divine freedom may be compatible with determinism if God's nature itself constitutes the sufficient reason for creation.
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    • 3.The claim conflates causal determinism with logical necessity; a free choice can have sufficient reasons without being necessitated.
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    Key Terms

    Volitional act(in describing God's choice to create the universe)
    An action that comes from someone's free will or conscious choice, rather than being forced or automatic.
    absolute explanation(as used in metaphysics)
    A complete reason or cause for why something exists or is the way it is, with no gaps or unanswered questions left over.
    cosmological argument(Swinburne's general characterization)
    An argument that the fact that there is a universe needs explaining, typically by appeal to a cause or ground outside the universe
    determinism(Discussion of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and general relativity)
    A property of physical theories concerning whether the laws governing a system fully fix future (and past) states given present conditions; admits of degrees ('fall only a bit short')
    incompatible(as used to describe conflicting demands or responsibilities)
    Unable to exist or work together at the same time; conflicting with each other.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    A creator cannot both be the ultimate explanation for existence and possess libe...Absolute explanation only requires explaining *why* something exists, not determ...Absolute explanation requires that all facts have sufficient reasons; this neces...Divine freedom may be compatible with determinism if God's nature itself constit...
    +3 moreShow less
    Free choice requires the ability to have acted otherwise, which is incompatible ...The claim conflates causal determinism with logical necessity; a free choice can...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Traditional defenders of the cosmological argument cannot invoke the requirement...