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All 8 Flashcards — Arguments for God
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Question
The ontological argument?
Answer
God is the greatest possible being, and a real God is greater than an imagined one — so God must exist, proved from the definition alone.
Question
The 'perfect island' objection?
Answer
You can't define a thing into existence: defining a 'perfect island' won't make one appear — so why should defining God?
Question
The cosmological / Kalam argument?
Answer
Whatever begins to exist has a cause; the universe began; so there must be a first, uncaused cause — God.
Question
The 'what caused God?' objection?
Answer
If everything needs a cause, God should too; and if God can be uncaused, why not let the universe be the uncaused thing?
Question
The teleological (design) argument?
Answer
The order and fine-tuning in nature point to a designer, just as a watch points to a watchmaker — and that designer is God.
Question
Evolution vs the design argument?
Answer
Natural selection builds eyes and fine-tuning with no designer — just useful changes kept over vast time. The design argument must answer it.
Question
The Nyāya argument from karma?
Answer
Karma must give each action its fair result, so there must be an intelligent overseer — God — running the moral order.
Question
The four arguments for God?
Answer
Ontological (definition), cosmological (first cause), teleological (designer), Nyāya (overseer of karma).
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Full study notes for Arguments for God
Topic 5.1 hub
Nature and existence of God
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