Philosophy 1020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Williams Fw13, Actual Infinity, Kalam Cosmological Argument
13 Nov 2013
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Document Summary
Cosmological" means having to do with study of the world or universe. 1225-1274: some history and other introductory matters, the first way: the argument from change, the argument. Whatever is moved is moved by another. The scholastic idea of motion" of change. Why not infinite regree: the world is not infinitely old, the second way: the argument from causation, the argument. The chain of causes cannot go back to infinity. Therefore, there is a first cause: a problem with the second way: ambiguity of first Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate, cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effectall of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause.
