1. Explore the use of inductive reasoning in the cosmological argument
Explore the use of inductive reasoning in the cosmological argument. (8 marks)
The Cosmological Argument is an a’posteriori argument meaning that it is based on empirical experience and observation. The key crux of the argument is that existence of the universe stands in need of explanation, and the only adequate explanation of its existence is that it was created by God. The cosmological argument is a type or family of arguments rather than a single one, but all the variants are based on the seemingly unobjectionable observation that everything that exists is caused by something else. An inductive argument is one that uses premises to reach a conclusion; if the premises are true then the conclusion is likely to be true. Aquinas used inductive reasoning to contribute to the cosmological argument. His first way began with the premise that that everything in the universe is in motion and that something can only be in motion if it is first moved by something else that is already moving. He then reached the conclusion that, to avoid an infinite regress, there must be a ‘first mover’, something that does not require to be moved by something else, and he believed this to be God. His second way began with the premise that that everything that exists has a cause, nothing can be its own cause and therefore must be caused by something else. Again, he developed this further and concluded that to avoid an infinite regress, there must be a first cause, something uncaused by something else and Aquinas believed this to be God Aquinas’ third ‘Way’ was contingency and necessity. Aquinas began with the premise that everything in the universe is contingent and that contingent beings cannot come from nothing. This led him to conclude that there must be something outside of it all, a necessary being that does not rely on anything else for its existence, that starts the whole thing off and he argued that this was God. Aquinas’ premises all pointed to the idea that if we can prove that God created the universe then we can prove that he does in fact exist.

2. Explore the key ideas of the cosmological argument. (8 marks)
A’posteriori
The key crux
Family of arguments
Inductive reason – how it works
Motion – everything moved by something else
Need for first mover
Cause – everything caused by something else
Need for a first cause
Contingent beings cannot come from nothing
Need for a necessary being
If we can prove God created the universe, we can prove that God exists.