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Author Question: What is the main idea of Aquinas' cosmological argument for the existence of God from contingency? ... (Read 58 times)

genevieve1028

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on: Jul 14, 2018
What is the main idea of Aquinas' cosmological argument for the existence of God from contingency?
 
  Need something for my thesis for this one Thanks in advance...

Question 2

Explain Anselm's ontological argument for the existence of God.
 
  Any contributors on this topic please? Thank you.


heinisk01

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Reply #1 on: Jul 14, 2018
Answer to Question 1

- Argument from contingency: When we examine the universe, we see that everything that exists and occurs is dependent on something else. However, for the universe to exist as it does, there must be some ultimate reality that is necessary, not contingent. This ultimate reality is God.
- Aquinas said that everything in the universe appears to be contingent, a possibility. But possible means it is not necessary that it exist. It might just as easily have not existed, and in fact, at one point it didn't exist. But if everything in the universe is only possible, and not necessary, then at some point everything in the universe would not have existed. Because the universe does exist, it's rational to assume that there is a Being that is necessary (not merely contingent) that does not depend on anything else for its existence. That Being is God.

Answer to Question 2

- Assumes that in general existence is contingent not necessary because we can conceive of them not existing
- God is the ultimate reality and therefore necessary; therefore, God must exist


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