Topics Discussed in Week Four

Aquinas's causal argument outlined

• several criticisms of this argument, including the "birthday fallacy"

Aquinas's argument from contingency

• the distinction between a contingent being and a necessary being
• a criticism and a reply
• focus on premise 3
• nothing comes from absolutely nothing
• implications of premise 3

Simplified version of the argument from contingency

• the distinction between a dependent being and an independent being
• the principle of sufficient reason
• focussing on the possibility of explanation

Might the universe itself be an independent being?

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