The Cosmological Argument
This philosopher proposed three versions of the cosmological argument based on motion, causation, and contingency.
Who is Aquinas?
This person argued that the universe, like a watch, points to a designer.
Who is William Paley?
This kind of evil results from human actions.
What is moral evil?
Epicurus' four-part cure begins with this command: “Don’t fear __.”
What is the gods?
According to Epictetus, this is how we achieve moral freedom.
What is living according to nature and reason?
This version of the cosmological argument claims that all beings are dependent and must be explained by a necessary being.
What is Clarke’s version?
This philosopher reformulated the design argument using probability and the simplicity of God as an explanation.
Who is Richard Swinburne?
This formulation says evil, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence cannot all exist together.
What is the logical problem of evil?
Epicurus claimed this is the definition of the good life.
What is the absence of pain (ataraxia)?
Name one thing that is in your control and one that is not.
What is: In control – desires, actions; Not in control – death, others, illness, reputation.
This philosopher argued that explaining every part doesn't mean you’ve explained the whole.
Who is David Hume?
This philosopher objected to the design argument by saying the world could be flawed or made by many gods.
Who is David Hume?
This defense argues that evil is the cost of human choice.
What is the free will defense?
Lucretius argued we shouldn't fear death by comparing it to this
What is our non-existence before birth?
This is the term for aligning our will with nature to reduce suffering.
What is harmony with nature?
This reformulated cosmological argument uses the principle of sufficient reason to explain why the universe must have a cause.
What is Rowe’s reformulation?
This is the kind of order Swinburne emphasized to support the design argument.
What is temporal order (laws of nature)?
This defense says suffering helps us grow and build character.
What is the soul-making theodicy (John Hick)?
This part of nature, according to Epicurus, is essential to living well.
What is simple, natural pleasure?
Epictetus uses this type of attitude to deal with death or loss.
What is detachment or indifference (apatheia)?
These two philosophers rejected the need to explain an infinite series, arguing the universe could just exist.
Who are Russell and Hume-Edwards?
Swinburne's main rebuttal to Hume’s objections rested on this kind of reasoning.
What is probabilistic reasoning (God is the most probable/simple explanation)?
This theodicy says we can’t understand God’s reasons for allowing evil.
What is skeptical theism (or the mystery defense)?
Epicurus believed that desires fall into these three types.
What are natural & necessary, natural & unnecessary, and vain?
According to Epictetus, this is the key to handling life’s misfortunes.
What is controlling your judgment and response?