Causation
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The document explores the concept of causation and its implications for belief in God, particularly through the argument that there must be a first uncaused cause which is God. It outlines the strengths and weaknesses of this argument, referencing St. Thomas Aquinas' perspective and providing analogies, such as the snooker ball analogy, to demonstrate causation. The document also includes potential exam questions related to causation and belief in God.
Causation
- 1. How could causation lead someone to believe in God?
- 2. In this lesson we are going to learn: What causation is The strengths and weaknesses of causation How might causation lead someone to believe in God?
- 3. Definitions: Causation - The process whereby one thing causes another, and each thing eventually links back to one uncaused cause Begotten – has always existed Uncaused – nothing created/caused it
- 4. Aquinas’ Quote: “ Everything happens, has a cause. If we follow everything back to the beginning, we come to a first cause that started everything off. This cause was God.” ... What does this quote mean?
- 5. The argument Explained: Everything that begins to exist, has a cause If we keep going back, we will eventually come to a first cause that started everything off This cause, was God
- 6. Key Points (note down): The way everything seems to have a cause makes one thing that there must be some ‘uncaused cause’ You can’t keep going back forever, you must eventually come back to one begotten, uncaused thing St Thomas Aquinas’ quote (everything happens has a cause...)
- 7. Snooker ball analogy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GA3ySz4el4 In the same way the snooker balls are reliant on their first cause – the universe must be reliant on its own first cause The first cause must have always existed – because it didn’t need a creator itself Conclusion: God is the first cause – and he is begotten/ uncaused
- 8. Pros and Cons: Pros: Infinite regression is a void explanation for the existence of contingent, mutable beings If everything finite needs a cause – there must be some infinite first cause Analogies such as the snooker balls “ Everything happens, has a cause. If we follow everything back to the beginning we come to a first cause that started everything off – this cause was God.” Cons: The cause may not be God If everything needs a creator – then who created God? Why can’t everything just go back forever?
- 9. Potential Exam Questions: A) What is causation? B) Do you think God is the cause of the universe? Give two reasons for your point of view C) Explain how the argument from causation may lead to belief in God D) ‘The argument from causation provides that God exists’ i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you