HigherHigher

RMPSRMPS

-Origins of the Universe--Origins of the Universe-

The Cosmological (First The Cosmological (First cause) Argumentcause) Argument

Learning Intention:Learning Intention:• To demonstrate an understanding of a complex To demonstrate an understanding of a complex

argument . argument .

Learning context:Learning context:• The ‘First cause/Cosmological argument’ and the The ‘First cause/Cosmological argument’ and the

origin of the universe.origin of the universe.

Success criteria:Success criteria:• I can demonstrate an understanding of the religious I can demonstrate an understanding of the religious

and non-religious arguments about a ‘First cause’.and non-religious arguments about a ‘First cause’.• Through reflection and discussion, I will have begun Through reflection and discussion, I will have begun

to make my own judgement of origin of the to make my own judgement of origin of the universe.universe.

The Cosmological Argument

Thomas Aquinas• Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher.

•Lived in the 13th century.

• He identified 5 ‘proofs’ for the existence of God.

The Cosmological Argument:

“There must have been a time when no physical things existed. But, since physical things exist now, there must have been something non-physical to bring them into existence, and that something we call God”.

The unmoved mover: “Nothing moves without a prior mover. This leads us to a regress, from which the only escape is God. Something had to make the first move, and that something we call God.”

The Uncaused Cause: “Nothing is caused by itself. Every effect has a prior cause, and again we are pushed back into regress. This has to be terminated by a first cause, and this we call God.”

The Cosmological The Cosmological (First Cause) (First Cause)

ArgumentArgument

OBJECTIONSOBJECTIONS

Ethologist, evolutionary Ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author.biologist and author.

Describes the main Describes the main objections he raised to objections he raised to

the cosmological the cosmological argument in…argument in…

1.1. What caused God? What caused God? You cannot assume You cannot assume thatthat God requires no God requires no cause.cause.

2.2. Even if God was the Even if God was the First Uncaused Cause, First Uncaused Cause, this does not mean he this does not mean he is all-powerful, all-is all-powerful, all-knowing, good, loving, knowing, good, loving, listens to prayers,listens to prayers, forgives sins etc.forgives sins etc.

Christopher Christopher Hitchens – Hitchens – Author, journalist Author, journalist and antitheistand antitheist

http://http://www.youtube.com/www.youtube.com/watch?watch?v=AXIlAQoe5gwv=AXIlAQoe5gw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9NlRKJBKt4

1.1. The burden of proof – The burden of proof – atheists do not claim to atheists do not claim to know what was there, know what was there, believers in God do… believers in God do… therefore they need to therefore they need to prove it, so where is the prove it, so where is the proof?!proof?!

2.2. Why make an Why make an assumption of a being assumption of a being (i.e. God)?(i.e. God)?

3.3. Why is there so much Why is there so much nothing from nothing from something? Is this something? Is this really a good design?really a good design?

A-B-CA-B-CPut these statements in the order Put these statements in the order that will describe the Cosmological that will describe the Cosmological argument.argument.

A.A. There must have been first cause, There must have been first cause, uncaused by everything else.uncaused by everything else.

B.B. Therefore, God must exist.Therefore, God must exist.C.C. There is a long process of cause and There is a long process of cause and

effect.effect.D.D. Only God is powerful enough to be Only God is powerful enough to be

this.this.E.E. All things require a cause.All things require a cause.F.F. This cannot have gone on foreverThis cannot have gone on forever

A-B-CA-B-C

Put these statements in the order that will Put these statements in the order that will describe the Cosmological argument.describe the Cosmological argument.

E. All things require a cause.E. All things require a cause.

C. There is a long process of cause and effect.C. There is a long process of cause and effect.

F. This cannot have gone on foreverF. This cannot have gone on forever

A. There must have been first cause, uncaused A. There must have been first cause, uncaused by everything else.by everything else.

D. Only God is powerful enough to be this.D. Only God is powerful enough to be this.

B. Therefore, God must exist.B. Therefore, God must exist.

Summarise the main Summarise the main objections to the objections to the

Cosmological (First Cosmological (First Cause) Argument made Cause) Argument made

by Dawkins, and by Dawkins, and Hitchens.Hitchens.

In your jotters...

To what To what extent are extent are

these these objections objections effective?effective?

Learning Intention:Learning Intention:• To demonstrate an understanding of a complex To demonstrate an understanding of a complex

argument . argument .

Learning context:Learning context:• The ‘First cause/Cosmological argument’ and the The ‘First cause/Cosmological argument’ and the

origin of the universe.origin of the universe.

Success criteria:Success criteria:• I can demonstrate an understanding of the religious I can demonstrate an understanding of the religious

and non-religious arguments about a ‘First cause’.and non-religious arguments about a ‘First cause’.• Through reflection and discussion, I will have begun Through reflection and discussion, I will have begun

to make my own judgement of the origin of the to make my own judgement of the origin of the universe. universe.