[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Information Argument Processes and programs require information to operate. Information requires intelligence. The universe consists of processes and programs. Therefore, the universe requires programming … [Read more...]
Arguments from Miracles and Providence
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Setting aside the miracles of the universe and life, the arguments from miracles and providence refer to more specific examples of things that could not have happened without God’s influence. Miracles are … [Read more...]
Arguments from Authority, Common Consent, Naturalness of Theistic Belief
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: As Kreeft explains, “Most good, wise, reliable people believe in God” (Kreeft 1990, 64). If this is the case, then the common link is God. Alternatively: 1. Belief in God—that Being to whom reverence and worship are … [Read more...]
First Cause & Other Thomistic Cosmological Arguments
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Below are Aquinas’ “Five Ways” -- the third being the traditional Thomistic Cosmological Argument. The First Way: Argument from Motion Nothing can essentially change itself (i.e., grow wings or grow gills by one’s … [Read more...]
Principle of Sufficient Reason
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Function of the PSR The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) is a metaphysical philosophical theorem that Leibniz applied concerning both reality and truth. The PSR requires an explanation for why … [Read more...]
Leibnizian Cosmological Argument
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: “Why is there something rather than nothing?” Good question. While Thomas Aquinas argued for God’s existence from ‘cause’ (God being the uncaused cause of the universe), Leibniz argued additionally from … [Read more...]
Kalaam Cosmological Argument
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause. Examining the first two premises: Premise 1 – whatever begins to exist has a cause - The universe began … [Read more...]
Conceptual Arguments
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Augustine Argument from Absolute Truth Augustine purported that we are in contact with objective absolute truths that transcend us. These absolute truths (such as mathematical formulas) are superior to the human … [Read more...]
Pascal’s Wager
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), a French mathematician in Pensées (version below, pps. 122-123): ...‘Either God is or he is not.’ But to which view shall we be inclined? Reason cannot decide this question. Infinite … [Read more...]
Pascal's Anthropological Argument
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Who are we? Worldviews all try to answer this fundamental question of human existence. Man is magnificent and miserable, dignified and undignified, profound and stupid. Some use their minds to mine the … [Read more...]