Cosmological argument evaluation

Question 1

2 cosmological arguments being evaluated in this evaluation

Answer 1

• Leibniz argument from principle of sufficient reason
• The Kalam argument

Question 2

objection: the possibility of an infinite series

Answer 2

• kalam argument
• we seem to be able to conceive of such an infinite series and so it must atleast possible
• While different components of the universe may have begun to exist and were hence caused by something, the universe as a whole has (possibly) always existed with no first event in the universe.
• This would mean that the universe (possibly) consists of a series of events that go back for an infinite duration of time
• therefore, every event that begins has possible been caused by a previous event without the need for a first cause or the introduction of anything supernatural
• therefore, if an infinite series of events is possible, then there would be no need to introduce anything to explain how the universe began as it didn’t begin.

Question 3

response: an infinitely old universe is unlikely.
A posteriori support

Answer 3

• a posteriori support for a finite universe
• there is scientific/empirical support from physics for the universe having a beginning
  1. if the universe were infinitely old, it would have run out of usable energy by now according to the law of theromydnamics. However, it has not run out of energy, so it is not infinitely old and so therefore, it has a beginning
  2. the universe is expanding. tracing expansion back in time, we get a beginning of space and time and so therefore, the universe if not infinitely old, it has a beginning.