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 Whatever exists must have a cause or ground for its existence

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

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The concept of 'cause' is derived from experience of temporal succession within the universe, making it inapplicable to the universe's own existence.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Hume demonstrated that causal necessity is a habit of mind projected onto events, not a metaphysically binding relation discoverable by pure reason.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, demanding a cause for all existence smuggles an empirically-derived concept into a domain where empirical validation is impossible.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Quantum vacuum fluctuations produce particles without deterministic prior causes, establishing empirical precedent for uncaused events.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The PSR, if applied universally, generates a vicious regress unless one admits a brute fact terminus, meaning the principle must itself eventually be abandoned.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Admitting any brute fact — including God's existence — dissolves the original argumentative force of demanding causes for all things.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Nothing can come from nothing (Ex nihilo, nihil fit)
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If something existed without a cause, it would have come 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.