Essay on Varying Arguments for the Existence of God

Varying Arguments for the Existence of God Many philosophers and theologians have provided varying arguments for the existence of God. These arguments are either a priori, understood independent of worldly experience and observation (Ontological Argument), or a posteriori, dependent on experience and based on observations of how the world is (Cosmological and Teleological Arguments). This paper will focus on the Cosmological Argument, and show that its underlying principle, the Principle of Sufficient Reason, fails to establish it as a sound argument for the existence of God. To accomplish this, I will, first, define the Cosmological Argument and the Principle of Sufficient Reason; then explain the argument, and how it is based on†¦show more content†¦Thus, there is an explanation for why I exist (PSRa), and also an explanation for every feature of my life (PSRb). Second, what is the meaning of the argument and how is it based on PSR? Premise (1) stems from Anselms division of beings into the three cases: explained by another [dependent beings],explained by nothing,and explained by itself [independent/self-existing being] (Rowe 22). The first rule of PSR holds that every being must have an explanation for its existence. A being that is explained by nothing violates this first rule, and as a result, is left out of premise (1). This allows for only two possible types of beings -- either dependent or self-existent. If you hold PSR to be true, them premise (1) is uncontroversial. Because it is an either, or statement, only one of the two types of beings needs to exist for the premise to be true. We know that there are at least dependent beings, so premise (1) is true. Premise (2) states that everything cannot be a dependent being. Why is this the case? William Rowe does an excellent job of explaining why if PSR is true, then premise (2) is also true. He (Rowe 24-25) says lets suppose that there has never been a self-existing being, but only an infinite series of dependent beings. In this series, every being has an explanation, because it is explained by the being that came before it and that caused its existenceShow MoreRelatedThe Ontological Argument Made By Anselm1365 Words   |  6 Pagesontological argument made by Anselm was criticized by one of his contemporaries, a monk named Gaunilo, who said, that by Anselm s reasoning, one could imagine a certain island, more perfect than any other island, tf this island can exist in the mind, then according to Anselm, it would necessarily exist in reality, for a perfect island would have this quality. But this is obviously false; we cannot make things exist merely by imagining them. Anselm replied, upholding his argument by saying thatRead MoreDescartes First Proof of The Existence of God Essays1407 Words   |  6 PagesThe 17th century philosopher Rene Descartes believed that God exists. 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The understanding of moral philosophy lays the basis for comprehending the nature of any other type of philosophical discipline. Many of the philosophers in the past believed in the existence of a Mighty being who is in control of everything. In the same breath, Aristotle and Aquinas believed that God took care of everything, and only living a virtuous life guaranteed to be like Him. On some issues, Aquinas supported Aristotle s thinking, while in others he differed intensely. To achieve

Nelson Mandela Essay example - 849 Words

The Men Of Aparthied From 1948 to 1994 apartheid was enforced in South Africa. Apartheid was the name given to a form of legal segregation is South Africa. Apartheid first came about in 1948 when South Africa’s National party took power. South Africa’s government broke the country’s population into four groups. Those groups were the whites, who consisted of approximately 13 percent of the population, Africans, who were 77 percent of the population, people who were of mixed descent comprised eight percent of the population, and Asians who were only 2 percent of the population. South Africa’s government set aside certain lands for each of the groups, and those groups were forced to live in those homelands. Besides residential segregation†¦show more content†¦In order to do that deKlerk had to repeal The Group Areas Act of 1966, and the Lands Act of 1913, and 1936. The same month that both those laws were repealed The Population Registration Act of 1950 was also erased. The Population Registration Act required that all South Africas record their race with the government. In 1991, de Klerks government started to make a new constitution that would make South Africa’s government a nonracial democracy. The whites in South Africa agreed with the new congress, and in 1993 The African National congress agreed to change their government. South Africa’s first non racist election took place in 1994, and the African National Congress won that election. The new president was a recently released inmate by the name of Nelson Mandella. Nelson Mandela has played an important and controversial role in the history of South Africa and establishing South Africa as a Democratic country. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Umtata, in the Transkei territory of South Africa. His father was a tribal chief. Mandela became a lawyer and helped form the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944. Mandela gained national importance as a black leader for protest against the government and apartheid which occurred in the 1950s. In 1956, Mandela was arrested and charged with treason and other serious crimes, but was found notShow MoreRelatedNelson Mandela1187 Words   |  5 Pagesis considered a cultural icon is Nelson Mandela; an individual who took a stand against apartheid in South Africa and established great strides toward racial equality in that part of the world. Mandela is considered as cultural icon because he achieved widespread recognition for his accomplishments with racial equality, he established a world-wide organization that researches possible cures for AIDS, and July eighteenth has been designated as international Mandela day. In 1908, the white minorityRead MoreNelson Mandela949 Words   |  4 PagesNelson Mandela The life story of Nelson Mandela has long become a legend, a story that transcends race, borders, culture, or language. 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Religious Current Events Free Essays

Quebec’s secularism charter heads to lawmakers Recently in the province of Quebec City, Canada, the Charter of Quebec Values was introduced to the public making the area completely secular. Even more recently, the charter was rebranded as â€Å"Charter Affirming the Values of Secularism and the Religious Neutrality of the State, As Well As the Equality of Men and Women, and the Framing of Accommodation Requests†, the sole reason simply being that â€Å"Bernard Drainville, the governing Parti Quebecois minister responsible for the proposal, said he mouthful of a name was selected by government lawyers, adding they like long names that encompass the major details in the title. † This measure would ban all overt and conspicuous headgear worn by public sector employees, including hijabs, yarmulkes and Sikh turbans. We will write a custom essay sample on Religious Current Events or any similar topic only for you Order Now This ban also includes wearing large crucifixes and other obvious religious wear. This will affect people all over the province who openly displayed their religious perspectives. This will likely become an extremely controversial situation between the people of Quebec City and their governing party, he reason being that before this charter, the people were free to openly practice and somewhat display their beliefs, and now, are being regulated on what they are and aren’t allowed to wear. Though the drafters of the bill feel that this charter is required to achieve religious neutrality, it is not likely that the people of Quebec City will stand for such religious oppression. Some may be tolerable of the charter, like those who can Just tuck in their necklaces or put away their rings, but what about those who wear garments such as headdresses and celebrative wear to express their trength and belief, or even a monk who is only to wear his robe. To set any regulation on religious â€Å"display’ is to oppress religion itself. It is impossible to ban the â€Å"visual expression† of religion without inadvertantly discriminating against certain religious perspectives who use robes, dresses or other kinds religious wear. â€Å"The provincial government is allowing for a one-year transition period to implement the provisions. The charter calls for disciplinary measures for those who do not comply with its bans, but those are unspecified in the bill. Meanwhile, Canada’s federal government has said that if the charter is approved, Ottawa would order a review by its Justice Department. This itself shows the uncertainty in the entire charter. If the law is passed, it should already deemed as a constitutional law. The provincial government is determined to have this charter set into motion and even they are unsure as to whether or not it is fair to religious expression as a whole. Not only do they neglect the fact that some religions require the expression of things such as headwear to ymbolize their religious devotion, they claim that it can be impartial to other forms of religious expressions. However, there was no fault before the legislation of this charter, there wasn’t much of an issue with religious expression. Religious wars have not taken place in the country of Canada because they did not have a law regulating the religious expression of the people, making it impartial. The people of the province realize this and are opposing what is to be the â€Å"Charter Affirming the Values of Secularism and the Religious Neutrality of the State, As Well As the Equality of Men nd Women, and the Framing of Accommodation Requests† Religion is a controversial thing. As difficult as it may be to maintain the equality of the people and still remain viewed as impartial to any specific party, it is not alright to eliminate the situation as a whole. The freedom of religion is the rite of the people and is not be tyrannized in any way. Though the respective religious peoples are to practice their religion respective to the laws of their land, opression of general expression is not a possible solution. How to cite Religious Current Events, Papers