1. The Kalam Cosmological Argument

2. Actual infinite A set theory
Refers to sets or collections of things with an infinite number of members.
Not growing towards infinity because already infinite
A part is equal to the whole because it is infinite

3. Actual infinite Infinite set of books in a library
A count of even numbered books is equal to the count of all the books

4. Actual infinite
Some philosophers argue that actual infinite numbers can’t exist
Add or subtract – still the same number
Infinity + infinity = infinity
An actual infinite is ‘complete’ at all times
Some regard this as illogical

5. Potential infinite Exists if it is always possible to add one more
The future is a possible infinite
Why?
More events are always being added to history

6. The kalam cosmological argument
Originally a Muslim argument
‘kalam’ = ‘argue’ or ‘discuss’
Muslim scholars al-Kindi (9th century) and Ghazali ( )
It is cosmological
Seeks to prove that God was the first cause of the universe

7. An argument of two halves
The universe had a beginning because it is not infinite and so must have had a creator
That creator is God

8. William Lane Craig American philosopher: 1949-
Focuses on the question of whether nor not the universe had a beginning
In Aquinas’ argument this is taken for granted
One criticism – assumes that everything except God had a cause
Why can’t the universe not have a cause?

9. William Lane Craig An actual infinite cannot exist in reality.
Therefore, an infinite number of events cannot have occurred before the present.
Therefore, the universe began to exist.
Whatever begins to exist has a cause.
Therefore, the universe has a cause.

10. Why did it have to have a beginning?
If not then it must consist of a series of events that is actually infinite and not potentially infinite
Why not?
Past events would form a collection of events where each type was numbered the same as others
Eg – just as many wars as other events

11. So what is it then?
The history of the universe was formed by one event following on from another event
Successive addition
A collection formed by successive addition cannot be actually infinite
Therefore the universe must have had a beginning

12. Argument part 2
If the universe had a beginning then the beginning was either caused or uncaused
Two options
Natural causes
Laws of nature didn’t exist
Personal being who freely chooses to create the world
God

13. Ex nihilo Crucial for the argument to work
The universe was created ex nihilo
‘out of nothing’
If so then the beginning of the universe was the beginning of time
Must have been a personal agent existing outside time to start the process
An agent who willed the universe into existence

14. Craig explains it

15. Craig explains it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeKavDdRVIg
• What do you think of this objection? Does it defeat the Kalam cosmological argument?
• Do you and the Kalam cosmological argument convincing?