What is the argument which has stirred such interest. Tim lays out a classic argument for the existence of god, called the cosmological argument roughly, the idea that something has to explain why the world is the way it is, and that something is god. Cosmological argument of kalam, everything that begins to exist has a cause for its existence. Argument for atheism against the kalam cosmological argument. Before we refute his argument, we must let the readers know that the fallacy of composition is an informal fallacy and what that means is the context of the argument is more important. The kalam cosmological argument is what is now often referred to whenever someone uses the cosmological argument, since it is seen as fixing the issues of the original one. This, in turn, seems to lead people to assume that atheism is itself a religion or at least some sort of antireligious ideology, philosophy, etc. Hidden theological dimensions now, theres an implication behind the christian theology, one which may not be obvious in the secular language of the formal style being used. Above is not the only form of the kalam argument, much less the family of cosmological arguments.
Does quantum physics refute the kalam argument for god. A classic which has recently been repolished and repopularized, it has withstood the test of time in its field. That inspired me to write up a refutation of the argument, and im happy to present it here. May 12, 2019 the argument is that whatever begins to exist has a cause. Because of its historic roots in medieval islamic theology, i christened the argument the kalam cosmological argument kalam is the arabic word for medieval theology. This is about the kalam cosmological argument, i would like if everyone would remain civil. Thomas aquinas vertical cosmological arguments for the existence of god.
An atheist may hold that it is uncaused, as i used to believe smith 1988, 1994. Caller nicholas from florida discusses the kalam cosmological argument. Then, the usual interpretation of the kalam cosmological argument is not sound, since the meaning of c is di. We do not really know whether either 1 or 2 is true. Most people laymen dont appreciateunderstand the kalam. He tries to present to us an interesting relatively new analogy, that leads to. There is a problem with calling the universe uncaused and eternal but that problem is not discussed in the kalam cosmological argument. The first part aims to establish that there is a cause of the universe.
Two recent scientific discoveries have yielded plausible prima facie physical evidence for the beginning of the universe. The second part aims to establish that this cause is god or gods act of creation. So i think that the first premise of the kalam cosmological argument is surely true. That being said, this treatment of the kalam always struck me as colossally disappointing. A big bang cosmological argument for gods nonexistence 1992 by quentin smith.
They are different from other types in that they are about the entire universe. Hidden theological dimensions now, theres an implication behind the christian theology, one which may not be obvious in the. Im sure this is an argument most of us have heard of before and would like to hear some of your responses to it. We present a formal analysis of the cosmological argument in its two main forms. The cosmological and teleological arguments are two types of arguments for the existence of god. And thats true, and not at all surprising to an atheist.
It uses a general pattern of argumentation logos that makes an inference from particular alleged facts about the universe cosmos to the existence of a unique being, generally identified with or referred to as god. The kalam cosmological argument for god request pdf. They defend the kalam cosmological argument for theism craig and sinclair. The kalam cosmological argument literally reduces down to speculation, gibberish, non sequiturs, and special pleading. Sep 29, 2010 the problem with kalamkalam, or more formally the kalam cosmological argument as presented by the christian theologian william lane craig states. From it, though, one can easily see that the opening portion of the kalam argument, that the universe has a cause because the universe began, is not merely a simple statement of.
Over the years many different versions of it have been presented. Smith and craig 1993, but if the theist can formulate a compelling causal explanation of the big bang explosion, then the atheist should believe the big bang does have a cause. The best example that i can come up with at the moment is professor of philosophy edward c. Lately though, ive been in a few debates where they like to draw out the infamous kalam cosmological argument for anyone that is not familiar with it, it basically goes like this. What is your response to the cosmological argument for. The cosmological argument from contingencythe cosmological argument comes in a variety of forms. Introduction cosmological arguments for gods existence have two parts. Following on from that, the cause of the universe must have been eternal and therefore without cause.
In case anyone does not know the argument, it goes like this. The kalam cosmological argument the curious atheist. The kalam cosmological argument is a modern formulation of the cosmological argument for. The kalam cosmological argument by theodore schick, he states that there is scientific proof for explaining the creation of the universe, but this proof also provides evidence of what others believe shows the existence of god, who to them, is the one who created the big bang that then created the universe. Lets examine both philosophical arguments and scientific evidence in support of premise 2. Huduth argument in contemporary western philosophy known as kalam cosmological argument is an argument for the existence of god which rests on the idea that the universe has a. Martin wagner 20090510 martin refutes the kalam cosmolgical argument. Cosmological argument stanford encyclopedia of philosophy.
The temporal cosmological argument also known as the kalam argument for the medieval muslim school of philosophy of alkindi and alghazali which first proposed it argues that all indications are that there is a point in time at which the universe began to exist, a universe stretching back in time into infinity being both philosophically and. Consult the cited works of craig for a more thorough statement and defense of the argument. To arrive at this conclusion, the argument employs facts concerning causation, cosmology, and contingency, as related to the beginning or coming into being of the universe. The kalam cosmological argument is a product of the tradition of islamic science known as ilm al kalam, which was established in order to defend the islamic faith against academic criticism. May 23, 2015 how to debunk the kalam cosmological argument the original kalam cosmological argument was developed by islamic scholars in medieval times based on the aristotelian prime mover idea. Argument for atheism against the kalam cosmological. That is, some conscious entity that willed everything into existence. Hence, this work studies craigs cosmological demonstration on the existence of god, also known as the kalam cosmological argument. The scientific kalam cosmological argument reasonable faith. Historical statements of the kalam cosmological argument peters remarks, when the polemic finally abated islam found that the experience of alashari had been repeated. I am a theist but want to learn more about atheism, especially about its response to the kalam cosmological argument. The kalam cosmological argument is a modern formulation of the cosmological argument for the existence of god.
According to atheist philosopher quentin smith, a count of the articles in the philosophy journals shows that more. Kalam cosmological argument dallas tx atheist experience 20. It was popularized by william lane craig in his book, the kalam cosmological argument 1979 the arguments key underpinning idea is the metaphysical impossibility of. My goal is to show that this second theistic part is unsound. Atheism, theism, and big bang cosmology 1991 by quentin smith. The kalam cosmological argument is based on the concept of the primemover, introduced by aristotle, and entered early. Smith argues that it is unreasonable to believe that god created the big bang. The kalam cosmological argument kca is a favorite of many christian apologists. The kalam proponent would only be special pleading if he or she said that god began to exist, but made him the exception by saying he came into being uncaused.
What we call today the kalam cosmological argument, was first made by aristotle and then by islamic scholars in the 9th century. On the kalam cosmological argument common sense atheism. Muslim theologians, when islam swept over egypt in north africa, absorbed the christian thought that had been in those areas, like in alexandria, which was the center of christian learning. This is a pretty long post, but i think its no more than such an important subject deserves. What is your response to the cosmological argument for the. This playlist is a collection of lectures and short video clips given by dr william lane craig on the kalam cosmological argument. It is called the kalam cosmological argument and was developed by arabic philosophers of the late middle ages kalam means arabic philosophy. The first time i heard wlc state the kalam cosmological argument in a live debate, i was flabbergasted that a person of any education could be so fully proud of their own sophistry so much to the point of declaring themselves the winner of the debate before it was over because nobody could argue against the logic of the syllogism.
This page highlights the relevant articles that are available online. Either way the theist doesnt score any points, thus the above arguments either illustrate a solid case for atheism, or a solid rebuttal against a particular argument for theism the kalam cosmological argument. According to the atheist philosopher quentin smith, a count of the articles in the. Because of atheisms longstanding association with freethought, anticlericalism, and dissent from religion, many people seem to assume that atheism is the same as antireligion. The atheist experience on the kalam cosmological argument. Heres william lane craig himself, in formulating the kalam cosmological argument, i intend to speak of what aristotle called efficient causesmy claim is that whatever begins to exist have an efficient cause come let us reason, p. Kalam cosmological arguments for atheism chapter 11. There are a handful of famous arguments for the existence of a god. One such argument is the kalam cosmological argument. Revisiting the kalam cosmological argument bob seidensticker. Jul 21, 2015 the kalam cosmological argument is simply a desperate attempt by theologians to place the god word in what we dont know. Oct 12, 2018 the cosmological argument presented here stresses in th e simplest terms that the universe began and has a cause for its existence. The kalam argument popular writings reasonable faith.
In every form of the cosmological argument, there has never been a valid logical step getting from there is an uncaused cause to that cause is god especially where god means a supernatural being with a vastly complex mind and amazingly convenient powers and attributes. Kalam cosmological arguments for atheism researchgate. Apr 08, 2012 therefore there must be a cause of the universe in this scenario but it cannot be god, so a point goes to the atheist. Today this argument, largely forgotten since the time of kant, is once again back at center stage.
The cosmological argument is less a particular argument than an argument type. The expansion of the universe points to its beginningto a big bangas one retraces the universes expansion in. How to debunk the kalam cosmological argument debating religion. The kalam cosmological argument is based on the concept of the primemover, introduced by aristotle, and entered early christian or neoplatonist philosophy in late antiquity, being developed by john philoponus. The kalam cosmological argument essay 1100 words cram. Exposing the fallacies of william lane craigs kalam. Inductive reasoning from both common experience and scientific evidence, which. But this is irrelevant, because p1 of the kalam argument refers to efficient causes, not material causes. Some have been around for centuries, and new arguments are popping up every day. Most people laymen dont appreciateunderstand the kalam cosmological argument enough to be convinced by it. However, all proponents of the kalam cosmological argument hold that a god is uncaused, uncreated. Feb 11, 2011 if we take away any to things from this lesson, it is this.
Essay the kalam cosmological argument by theodore schick. Theism, atheism, and big bang cosmology 1996 by graham oppy the book is composed mainly of previously published pieces. Sound is defined as a logically valid argument that withstands all scrutiny. People like, william lane craig, constantly refer to this argument during debates thinking that it is an improvement but we will see that this argument is just as faulty in. It is a philosophical argument often used towards the existence of god by explaining that the universe is contingent and has a cause. Its nothing more than an argument from ignorance, a god of the gaps. The argument itself doesnt say that god specifically is the first cause but within the framework we can explain. The cosmological argument is probably the most popular of the theological existence proofs. Kalam cosmological arguments for atheism 185 with is.
The argument of the atheist stems primarily from lack of understanding of the kalam cosmological argument. Methuselahs diary and the finitude of the past pdf. Craigs cosmological presentation on the existence of god is relatively one of the contemporary thoughts widely studied this time. I the other philosophical argument o ered in defense of premise 2 is that there cannot be an actual.
William lane craig has refined it to make it the cornerstone of his argument for the existence of the god of christianity. I am in favor of the argument but would love to discuss it as well. The kalam cosmological argument the kalam cosmological argument is a 1979 book by william lane craig, in which the author offers a contemporary defense of the kalam cosmological argument and purports to establish the existence of god based upon the alleged metaphysical impossibility of an infinite regress of past events. How do atheists answer the cosmological argument for gods. The sources used in this presentation are documented according to current modern language association standards.
International journal for philosophy of religion manuscript no. Simply put if con can present evidence or argument that successfully dismantles the kalam, con wins. The word kalam is an arabic word that denotes medieval islamic theology. If god is defined as a mind that created matter, then it s an illogical concept like a perfectly round square. The ancient kalam cosmological argument maintains that the series of past events is finite and that therefore the universe began to exist. I would like to hear your opinionsfor and againstat the end. Heres a simple version of the famous version from contingency. Argument from physical minds or a potential refutation of the kalam cosmological argument x a mind y a brain z matter if x is dependent on y, and y can only exist if z exists, then x cannot be the cause of z s existence. What follows is a short presentation of the kalam cosmological argument for the existence of god.
Atheists have typically said that the universe has been here foreverthe. It is traditionally known as an argument from universal causation, an. I am not trying to change anyones mind, so if youre an agnostic, atheist, or a theist this is a good paper to educate yourself on the argument. Everyday experience and scientific evidence confirm our first premiseif. William lane craig, the kalam cosmological argument, the macmillan press ltd, 1979, p. Sep 09, 2012 what we call today the kalam cosmological argument, was first made by aristotle and then by islamic scholars in the 9th century. Im a very convinced atheist, and love to debate religion. This paper is concerned with the kalam cosmological argument, which aims to demonstrate that the universe was created ex nihilo by a personal creator. The kalam cosmological argument is an exercise in positive deist apology which aims to demonstrate that the existence of god can be inferred to be highly probable. The more controversial premise in the argument is premise 2, that the universe began to exist. It was popularized by william lane craig in his book, the kalam cosmological argument 1979. This is the cosmological argument for the existence of god, in the form of the popular kalam cosmological argument. I the other philosophical argument o ered in defense of premise 2 is that there cannot be an actual in nite in the world, merely a potential in nite.
Oct 31, 2016 the kalam cosmological argument kca is a favorite of many christian apologists. The cosmological argument shows that, in fact, it is quite reasonable to. Ive been thinking more and more about the cosmological argument lately and i noticed there was a recent thread on it in this forum. The kalam cosmological argument is one of several variants of first cause arguments. Is there a good counter argument to the kalam cosmological. Jun 25, 2019 because of atheisms longstanding association with freethought, anticlericalism, and dissent from religion, many people seem to assume that atheism is the same as antireligion. Why almost all cosmologists are atheists, faith and. Although it is rooted in a caricature of the kalam cosmological arguments first premise whatever begins to exist has a cause, it is a positive argument for atheism, and it does attempt to deal with the god hypothesis in the only arena where gods existence may be decisively confirmed or refuted. A cosmological argument, in natural theology and natural philosophy not cosmology, is an argument in which the existence of god is inferred from alleged facts concerning causation, explanation, change, motion, contingency, dependency, or finitude with respect to the universe or some totality of objects. Pdf kalam cosmological argument and the modern science. The argument is that whatever begins to exist has a cause. This objection reminds me of william lane craigs nutty claim that his personal experience of the holy. The cosmological argument arguments for the existence of. This is a fallacy that happens whenever the meaning of a term is used in two different ways in the premises of.
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