The Argument from Different Sides about the Existence of God - Research Paper Example

? Arguments for and Against the Existence of God Introduction Scholars and philosophers have made varied arguments in favor and against the existenceof god time to time. This paper attempts to explore the ontological, teleological, cosmological, and kalam arguments given in favor or against the existence of God. Ontological Arguments in Favor of the Existence of God Ontological arguments propose that god can be known through reason alone. Rene Descartes (1966) provided his ontological argument in Meditation 5 stating that God is the most perfect being to exist than not to exist. Descartes argues that existence is perfection than existence in our imagination or thoughts and therefore the idea that the most perfect being (God) does exist in reality. This is an argument in favor of God's existence purely based on reason and no need to go for physical proof of God's existence. This is also known as a priori argument. Jordon (2011) argues that medieval philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine has defined God as “that than which no greater can be conceived.” Thomas Aquinas is of the view that God's existence is self-evident and he assumes that God is omnipotent and omniscient and thereby perfect. Jordon highlights the view of scholars such as William Hasker that refutes and argues against the above classical model that tries to prove the existence of God. As proposed by Hasker, the model is not compatible with the significant freedom available to human beings. Himma (2005) argues that how the philosophy of perfection in existence has been refuted by many scholars such as Kant. Kant (1965) is of the view that human beings cannot know whether there is a God or not. It is neither an argument against the existence of God or in favor of God. Kant refutes to acknowledge any non-empirical knowledge. Overman (2010) argues that God did create this universe. He discusses about Thomas Aquinas who had a mystical experience wherein he gained the knowledge of God and this experience is not unusual as vast array of literatures also exemplifies about the people who time to time had such experience. Overman discusses about his classmate Richard Smalley, a Nobel Prize winner for chemistry in 1996, that how in later years Richard believed that God created this universe some 13.5 billion years ago. As per Richard, it is getting clearer to modern science that the universe was fine tuned to create human life. Overman also stresses that there are many people such as Sagan and Weinberg in the scientific and academic world who do not share the same view. Teleology Argument in Favor of Existence of God A teleology argument is also addressed as design argument. According to this argument, the purpose and design are quite apparent in nature and there has to be a designer called God in common parlance. The order within order in nature suggests the existence of God. St. Thomas Aquinas also made use of the teleological argument to prove the existence of God. Jordan (2011) has put forward the views of William Paley as teleological argument to prove God's existence. Paley states as without a watchmaker there is no possibility of a complex watch to come into being; similarly, there has to be an intelligent creator to make this complex universe. He argues that natural processes are so incredibly interwoven and intricately contrived to prove that there is an intelligent creator behind it. Paley reemphasizes that the existence with such a complex and fine tuning could have just come up by chance is simply the notion that only fools can have. Sobel (2003) demonstrates how Hume was quite critical of teleological argument on the existence of God. Hume argued that existence had not been designed by someone nor he accepted that there was an order in the nature. Whatever order is there that is made by human beings on the chaotic happening of nature. According to Hume, there is no empirical evidence for any purpose or order in this world. Hume further argued that the world is full of imperfection and therefore creator, if there is one, is also imperfect. In short, Hume refused to buy the theory on existence of God. The Cosmological Argument in Favor of Existence of God The cosmological argument states that since there is a universe so there has to be someone who caused this universe. This is also known as first cause argument. A series of events caused the universe as we see it today. Dunbar (2000) argues that each event is a cause of another event so there is cause and effect relationship that is found in the universe. When tracing back these events back to the first one than one reaches to the beginning. Obviously, something has to be outside the first event that caused the first event. The one who is outside the first event is God or Creator. Against this Dawkins (2008) argues that theory of natural selection is superior to a "God hypothesis" that has been tried to explain the existing world. He is of the view that it is an illusion that there is an intelligent design. According to him, atheism entails a healthy and independent mind. Dawkins is against a God who is the creator of this universe. He concludes that the evolution by natural selection is a better explanation for the design of this world. Dawkins takes a view to distinguish between an impersonal God to a personal God that is worshipped. The existence of latter type of God has been called by him as 'God Hypothesis" that can be tested and disproved like any other hypothesis. Dawkins (2008) does not agree with the Thomas Aquinas' Cosmological Arguments that God is immune to the regress. Kalam Cosmological Argument in Favor of Existence of God Medieval Muslim philosophers such as al-Ghazali and al-kindi are the main proponents of kalam cosmological argument to ascertain the existence of God. In recent times, it has got popularity due to William Craig who is an evangelical Christian. The distinguishing feature of kalam cosmological argument from other forms of argument is that it is based on the conjecture that the universe has a beginning in past. The kalam argument goes like this. (The kalam Cosmological …1999) 1. Everything in the universe that begins has also a cause of its existence. 2. The universe has a beginning in the past and that becomes a basis that the universe has also a cause of its coming into existence. 3. Since the universe has a cause of its being then that cause is God. 4. Thus, God must exist. The proponent of the Kalam cosmological argument rests on the premise that universe has a finite past. They draw strength from the Big Bang theory accepted in the scientific world which states that universe came into existence some 13.6 billion years ago. Craig takes the thermodynamic view point for universe to exist and he believes that it is certainly not an eternal existence. (The kalam Cosmological …1999) Law (2010) argues that there is no need of God for morality to exist in the society as commonly believed by the proponents of theist. Law argues that humanism is a better alternative to religion as through humanism people can enjoy purposeful and meaningful lives. He believes that humanists are deeply committed people for the good cause of society at large. He explores the history of humanism as a movement until current time. According to him secular society is more meaningful and enjoyable. Power (2012) mentions about the psychological aspects of religion and explains why there is no respite in religious beliefs in spite of contrary scientific evidence. Power takes balanced approach using the latest findings from the branches of psychiatry, medicine, psychology. He is quick to establish that religions provide a strong association to social and psychological aspects of human beings. Though he acknowledges the several psychological benefits of religion but, at the same time, questions the vary basis of the supernatural belief systems that prevails in any religion. He speaks at length on how to be a healthy atheist against a common belief system of theism. He concludes that in modern pluralistic social structures there is a little space for the existence of God. Mckim (2012) discusses about religious ambiguity and how monotheists believe in a specific school of thought considering only those belief systems as correct and all others are wrong. Mckim emphasises that any arguments whether in favor or against the existence of God are basically relative in nature. If fine tuning in nature speaks about the existence of God then on the other hand the evidence of evils is a stronger case to disprove the existence of God. He concludes stating that people tend to follow the traditions that suit them. Conclusion There is no denying to the fact that there are plenty of arguments put forward by various scholars and philosophers in favor and against both for the existence of God. The riddle is unsolved since ages. Though science and technology has progressed a lot but there are still fair percentages of people that believe in the existence of God. Scientists continue to make efforts in their own way to come to the conclusion on this metaphysical aspect of the inquiry. It would be interesting if the Hadron Collider experiment that is being conducted by the scientists of the European Organization could throw some light on the ‘God particle’ –also known as Higgs Boson in the scientific world. The preliminary results do show some encouraging findings; however, it will take some more time before scientist could give concrete answer as to why we exist. References 1. Descartes, R. (1966), "Meditations on First Philosophy." Edited and Composed by Richard H. Popkin. New York: The Free Press. 2. Jordon (2011), Philosophy of religion: the key thinkers, Continuum, New York 3. Himma, K. (2005), Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, retrieved February 11, 2012 from, http://www.iep.utm.edu/ont-arg/ 4. Kant, I. (1965), Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. Norman Kemp Smith, New York: St. Martin's Press 5. Overman, D. (2010), Case for the Existence of God, PA, USA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group 6. Sobel, H. (2003). Logic and Theism: Arguments for and Against Beliefs in God. New York: Cambridge University Press. 7. Dunbar, C. (2000), Religion, philosophy & psychical research. Great Britain: Routledge. 8. Dawkins, R. (2008), The God Delusion. New York: Bantam Press. 9. The Kalam Cosmological Argument (1999), retrieved February 11, 2012 from http://www.thatreligiousstudieswebsite.com/Religious_Studies/Phil_of_Rel/God/kalam_cosmological_craig.php 10. Law S. (2010), Humanism: A Very Short Introduction, Hampshire, UK: Ashford Colour Press Ltd. 11. Power M. (2012), Adieu to God: Why Psychology Leads to Atheism, Wiley-Blackwell. 12. Mckim R. (2012), On religious diversity. New York: Oxford University Press. Read More