Linked e-resources
Details
Table of Contents
Preface; Contents; List of Figures; 1 The Question of Ultimate Origins; 1.1 The Importance of the Question; 1.2 Is Science the Only or the Best Way to Discover the Answer?; 1.3 Are All Possible Answers Necessarily Relative and Speculative?; 1.4 Can Science and Philosophy Complement Each Other in the Quest for an Answer?; 1.5 Would the Acceptance of a Divine Cause Be a Science-Stopper?; 1.6 Would the Acceptance of a Divine Cause Be Based on Ignorance?; 1.7 Conclusions of This Chapter and an Overview of Subsequent Chapters; References
2 Is the Number of Prior Causes and Durations Infinite? An Assessment of the Current Literature2.1 Introduction; 2.2 The Origin of Our Universe: Big Bang Cosmology; 2.3 Does Big Bang Cosmology Disconfirm Theism?; 2.4 A List of Proposed Cosmological Models for Explaining the Big Bang; 2.5 The Idea of Infinite Regress; 2.6 Craig's First Argument Against an Actual Infinite Temporal Regress: The Impossibility of Concrete Actual Infinities; 2.7 Craig's Second Argument Against an Actual Infinite Temporal Regress: The Impossibility of Traversing an Actual Infinite; 2.8 Conclusion; References
3 Formulating a New Cosmological Argument3.1 The Distinctions Between Leibnizian, Thomist and Kalam Cosmological Arguments; 3.2 Clarifications of Key Terms: Time, Change, Event, and Cause; 3.3 The New Cosmological Argument; 3.4 Defending the Key Thomistic Premise in the New Argument; 3.5 Comparison with Thomist and Leibnizian Cosmological Arguments; 3.6 Conclusion; References; 4 Is There a Causal Loop Which Avoids a First Cause?; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 No Adequate Reason for Thinking that Such a Causal Loop Exists; 4.3 Against Such a Causal Loop: Bootstrap Paradoxes; 4.4 Conclusion; References
5 Did the Initial State of Reality Begin to Exist Uncaused?5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Quantum Physics and Causation; 5.3 Philosophical Doubts Concerning the Causal Principle; 5.4 Arguments for Causal Principle; 5.4.1 Empirical Evidence; 5.4.2 The Concept of Non-being; 5.4.3 Why Do Other States of Affairs Not Begin to Exist Uncaused?; 5.5 Conclusion; References; 6 What is the Nature of the First Cause?; 6.1 Uncaused, Beginningless and Timeless; 6.2 A Timeless First Cause Cosmological Model: Hartle-Hawking Model; 6.3 Criticisms of Hawking; 6.4 Reflection on Criticisms
6.5 Deeper Conceptual Problem with Hawking's Model6.6 Is the First Cause a Person?; 6.7 The Ultimate Source of the Universe; References; 7 The Conclusion of Our Quest; References; Author Index; Subject Index
2 Is the Number of Prior Causes and Durations Infinite? An Assessment of the Current Literature2.1 Introduction; 2.2 The Origin of Our Universe: Big Bang Cosmology; 2.3 Does Big Bang Cosmology Disconfirm Theism?; 2.4 A List of Proposed Cosmological Models for Explaining the Big Bang; 2.5 The Idea of Infinite Regress; 2.6 Craig's First Argument Against an Actual Infinite Temporal Regress: The Impossibility of Concrete Actual Infinities; 2.7 Craig's Second Argument Against an Actual Infinite Temporal Regress: The Impossibility of Traversing an Actual Infinite; 2.8 Conclusion; References
3 Formulating a New Cosmological Argument3.1 The Distinctions Between Leibnizian, Thomist and Kalam Cosmological Arguments; 3.2 Clarifications of Key Terms: Time, Change, Event, and Cause; 3.3 The New Cosmological Argument; 3.4 Defending the Key Thomistic Premise in the New Argument; 3.5 Comparison with Thomist and Leibnizian Cosmological Arguments; 3.6 Conclusion; References; 4 Is There a Causal Loop Which Avoids a First Cause?; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 No Adequate Reason for Thinking that Such a Causal Loop Exists; 4.3 Against Such a Causal Loop: Bootstrap Paradoxes; 4.4 Conclusion; References
5 Did the Initial State of Reality Begin to Exist Uncaused?5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Quantum Physics and Causation; 5.3 Philosophical Doubts Concerning the Causal Principle; 5.4 Arguments for Causal Principle; 5.4.1 Empirical Evidence; 5.4.2 The Concept of Non-being; 5.4.3 Why Do Other States of Affairs Not Begin to Exist Uncaused?; 5.5 Conclusion; References; 6 What is the Nature of the First Cause?; 6.1 Uncaused, Beginningless and Timeless; 6.2 A Timeless First Cause Cosmological Model: Hartle-Hawking Model; 6.3 Criticisms of Hawking; 6.4 Reflection on Criticisms
6.5 Deeper Conceptual Problem with Hawking's Model6.6 Is the First Cause a Person?; 6.7 The Ultimate Source of the Universe; References; 7 The Conclusion of Our Quest; References; Author Index; Subject Index