Lothar121

Metaphysical Principles and Definitions

Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR): For every positive fact, whatsoever, there is a sufficient reason, known or unknown, explaining why it is.
Ex Nihilo, Nihil Fit (ENNF): “From nothing, nothing comes,” a corollary of PSR. If every positive fact has a sufficient reason explaining why it is, then something cannot come from nothing because nothing has no explanatory power.

The World: Everything existing in space and time, i. e. the spacio-temporal universe.

Dependent Being: A being that depends upon something(s) outside itself for its existence and explanation.

Independent Being: A being that depends upon nothing outside itself for its existence and explanation

1.) At every moment of its existence, everything in the world is dependent. (Premise)
2.) If, at every moment of its existence, everything in the world is dependent, then, at every moment of its existence, the world as a whole is dependent. (Premise)
3.) At every moment of its existence, the world is dependent. (from 1 & 2)
4.) At every moment of its existence, the world depends on something, call it I, other than itself, for its existence. (from 3 & and the Definition of Dependent Being)
5.) I is either an infinite and eternal regress of dependent beings or an eternal, independent being. (from 4, the Definition of the World, and the Definitions of Dependent and Independent Beings)
Note on Step (5.)
Since it is dependent, the world must depend on something outside itself. The world, by definition, contains everything existing in space and time. Thus, what the world depends upon must be outside space and time, i. e. eternal. Since, by definition, dependent beings cannot depend upon themselves, if the explanation for the world is to be provided by dependent beings, there must be an infinite regress of them. Since an independent being depends on nothing outside itself, only one is needed to account for the world.

Dn+1
î
Dn
•
•
•
î
D4
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D3
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D2
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D1 (The World)
6.) An infinite regress of dependent beings is not possible. (from the Definition of Dependent Being and ENNF)
Note on Step (6.)
Dependent beings, as it were, “borrow” their being or existence. Thus, an infinite regress of them is not possible. Think of this analogy. George needs to borrow $20 to buy food to live on. Mary says she’ll lend it to him but first has to borrow it from Harry.
Harry says he’ll lend it to Mary but first has to borrow it from Judy. Judy says she’ll lend it to Harry but first has to borrow it from Fred. Fred says he’ll lend it to Judy but first has to borrow it from Susan. If George is to get the money he needs to buy food to live on, can this borrowing process go on forever? Clearly not. If George is going to get the money he needs, eventually, you have to arrive at someone who actually owns $20.
Similarly, if a dependent being is going to get the being it needs to exist, eventually, you have to arrive at a being that “owns” being in itself, namely an independent being. Otherwise, something would have to come from nothing, thus violating ENNF.
7.) I is an eternal, independent being. (from 5 & 6)
8.) Therefore, an eternal, independent Creator of the world, namely I, exists. (from 4 & 7) QED.
In response, a defender of the Proof can appeal to the Principle of Uniformity. This scientific principle basically says that what is true in one part of the spacio-temporal universe is true in all parts of it.
For example, gravity operates in every other part of the spacio-temporal universe in the same way that it operates in our part of it.
Thus, if there is pervasive dependency in our part of the spacio-temporal universe, there is pervasive dependency in all other parts of the spacio-temporal universe.

The Cosmological Proof does not conclusively prove the God of traditional theism in all His glory, but it does offer strong evidence for such a God.
The eternal, independent creator of the entire spacio-temporal universe would clearly have to be very powerful and knowledgeable.
Also, the act of creation itself could be taken as one of significant, disinterested goodness.

Thoughts?

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