Answer to Question #278201 in Philosophy for Jubayer

Question

A critical exposition of different proofs for the existence of God.

Please include the following:

Abstract

Contents of the idea of God

Different arguments in favour of the existence of God

Objections raised against those arguments

Critical evaluation

Reference

Answer 1

Abstract

This essay explains more about the early proofs of the existence of God held by different groups of people or tribes. It covers the contents of the idea of God, the different arguments in favor of the existence of God, objections raised against those arguments, critical evaluation, and finally reference.

For the great number of men, the idea of God is very overlaid and obscured by innumerable symbolic rites and doctrines that have grown in the course of the long historical development of religion.

Arguments about the existence of God

Thomas Aquina developed five arguments to explain the existence of God as follows;

Unmoved mover – from the motion of the universe, Aquinas argued that there must be an initial mover that cannot be moved.

First cause – He started with the premise that it’s not possible for being to cause itself and also impossible for there to be a finite chain of causes. He argued that there must be the first cause of the things.

Necessary being – He asserts that all beings are contingent meaning it is possible for them not to exist. Therefore, there is a possibility that everything does not exist and if they exist now there must exist a necessary being.

Argument from the degree – considering the occurrence of good things he, believed they must be in relation to a standard measure that is maximum. There must be maximum goodness that causes goodness in all other things.

Teleological – He asserts that unintelligent things are ordered by an intelligent being that is God.  

Objections raised against

The first clause is questioned about how it is unique in that it does not require any causes. The opponents assert that this is a special pleading or otherwise untrue.

Also, the principle that everything has a cause does not provide observations to establish a posteriori the truth of the causal principle.

Critical Evaluation

The existence of God is a subject of debate in the philosophy of religion and popular culture. There are those that say there is no God and congratulate themselves that they are going to die like beasts.

God is purported to have created the universe.