Term
1. Best explanation approach
2. Cumulative case approach
3. Minimalistic concept of God |
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Definition
1. the explanation of God is the best explanation we have for the universe
2. no argument can get us to the conclusion of God; we can put together a strong argument for God
3. arguing for a personal, intelligent, moral creator; not all attributes of God |
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Term
1. Current Causality
2. Original Causality
3. Contingent |
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Definition
1. it is based on the fact that a currently contingent universe requires a current cause
2. it is based on a chain of causality through or in time; the chain of causes eventually ends with an original or first cause
3. that which does not need to be and therefore depends upon something else for its existence; |
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Term
1. Event Causation
2. Agent Causation |
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Definition
1. One event is the cause of the next event.
-Series of causes
2. a being that has the ability to initiate a new series of causes |
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Term
| Know minimalistic: first cause, not God |
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Definition
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Term
| Know why there cannot be an infinite regress of current causes of existence. |
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Definition
| Chain would be self caused |
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Term
| Be able to identify the three major points of the Kalam argument (two premises and conclusion) |
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Definition
1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause
2. The universe began to exist
3. The universe must have had a cause to exist |
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Term
| Know and understand the two philosophical arguments against an infinite universe and the two scientific arguments against it. |
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Definition
Philosophical
1. actual infinite number of things is impossible/illogical
2. it is impossible to form an actual infinite in time space continuum because it is impossible to get to infinity
Scientific
1. current model argues against it
2. 2nd law of thermodynamics argues against it |
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Term
| Know the two possible kinds causes and why the best explanation is for an agent. |
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Definition
Causes
1. Event
2. Agent-first cause cannot be an event because it needs a cause |
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Term
| Be able to answer the first two criticisms of the Cosmological Argument |
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Definition
1. If everything needs a cause, then so does God
2. Argument doesn't lead to an existence of God, just a first cause |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Nescience
2. Irreducible Complexity
3. Sequence Hypothesis
4. Information Theory |
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Definition
1. that which exhibits intelligent design but has no intelligence in itself
2. some organic systems cannot be reduced to parts
3. an exact order of symbols records information
4. provides mathematical means for measuring information and intelligence |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Temporal Order
2. Fine Tuning Argument
3. Cosmic Constant
4. Anthropic Principle |
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Definition
1. in the universe, the same things occur over and over again
2. basic elements that make up the universe are delicately set at exact settings for complex life forms
3. a fact about a fundamental element of reality with no scientific reason behinds its existence (speed of light)
4. universe seems to have unfolded with the purpose of maintaining complex life |
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Term
| Know the two elements of Teleological arguments |
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Definition
1. Probability
2. Analogy-complex things need a designer, so why doesn't the universe |
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Term
| Be able to identify the four different types of evidence of design and the examples of each. |
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Definition
1. Complexity-watchmaker
2. Information-DNA
3. Order-natural laws
4. Purpose-cars |
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Term
| Know what Swinburne's Temporal Order Argument is based on |
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Definition
| Regularities of succession: the same natural events happen over and over again |
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Term
| Know the objection and response from evolution |
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Definition
Objection: appearance of design is simply the product of natural selection
Rejection: cannot account for the efficient cause of nature |
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Term
| Know concluding comments of Teleological Argument |
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Definition
-Probable but not certain that there is design
-Does not explain evil
-Leads to the fact that there must be a cause for design in universe |
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Term
| Know three reasons why morality had to originate with a person |
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Definition
1. Moral obligations only concern humans
2. Concept is an idea and only people have ideas
3. that which created the concept cannot be less |
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Term
| Know three reasons why the person had to be God |
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Definition
1. Not from a single human mind
2. cannot be less than perfect
3. only God can guarantee morality is fulfilled |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Theodicy
2. Moral Evil
3. Natural Evil |
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Definition
1. justification for God in face of evil
2. evil that occurs as the result of a choice of a moral agent
3. suffering occurs because of some natural event not in the control of a moral agent |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Logical Argument from Evil
2. Omnipotent |
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Definition
1. the existence of God and evil is impossible
2. does not mean God can do anything
3. |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Evidential Argument from Evil
2. Privation Argument
3. Free Will Argument |
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Definition
1. it is not probable that God and evil exist
2. evil is a lack of a thing, so God did not create it
3. free will leads to greater goods but also evil |
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Term
Define the following:
1. Law of Nature Theodicy
2. Soul Making Theodicy
3. Gratuitous Evil |
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Definition
1. The existence of a law-like orderly universe is necessary in order for humans to exist and operate in it
2. individuals must face challenges to reach a greater good
3. evil without a purpose |
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Term
Logical problem of evil (alternative meanings of terms)
1. the problem (the implicit contradiction)
2. the note about all one has to do
3. the solution |
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Definition
1. God and evil cannot exist
2. show that both can exist
3. it is not a logical contradiction |
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Term
| Know the problem and the solutions to the evidential problem of evil (be able to answer the 4 questions; especially know the four “greater goods”) |
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Definition
Problem: did God create evil? Couldn't he have done something different? Why does evil have no purpose?
Solution: there may be good reasons as to why God created evil |
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Term
| Know the Problem of the Good |
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Definition
if there is no God, where does the idea of good come from?
-evil and good are subjective |
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Term
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Definition
*Always be prepared to give a defense
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." |
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