Key Criticisms of the Cosmological Argument and Possible Responses

Key Criticisms of the Cosmological Argument and Possible Responses

1. Infinte Regress is not Possible

   • The possibility of infinite regress : The Ocillating Theory. If infinte regress is not possible then who caused God?
     • Big Bang Theory is preferred. God is not one more in series but something outside of sequence. The evidence leads to God having that characteristic of all actuality.

2. The universe is 'just there' - It provides no explanation

   • Possibility of universe as a brute fact. Rejection of principle of sufficient reason. No explanation needed - just a brute fact.
     • Explanation sought in every other area of enquiry. If there is explanation then it could be God. God is the explanation that requires no further explanation.

3. The universe must have a cause

   • Because an event in the universe has a cause, it doesn't mean that the universe itself must therefore has a cause (fallacy of composition).
     • Composition is not always a fallacy e.g. every part of a silver coin is silver, therefore the whole coin is silver.

4. Identity of necessary being as God.

   • Why should the identity of the necessary being equate to God?
     • Aquinas never claimed the necessary being showed the attributes of God in the Christian tradition, but it is consistent with the idea of a transcendent being.

5. Argument based on Observation

   • It draws a conclusion that goes beyond the evidence. David Hume argued that we could not have knowledge about concepts such as cause and necessary beings as they were not open to the empirical approach
     • We distinguish between cause and coincidence. Reason also leads to knowledge.