CAN YOU PROVE THAT CAN YOU PROVE THAT GOD IS THERE?GOD IS THERE?

( or …CAN YOU PROVE THAT ( or …CAN YOU PROVE THAT GOD IS GOD IS NOTNOT THERE?) THERE?)

CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF

GODGODThese proofs have been developed These proofs have been developed

over thousands of years oh over thousands of years oh philosophy.philosophy.

CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF

GODGODThese proofs have been developed These proofs have been developed

over thousands of years of over thousands of years of philosophy.philosophy.

They are quite difficult to They are quite difficult to understand. understand.

CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSICAL. PHILOSOPHICAL PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF

GODGODThese proofs have been developed These proofs have been developed

over thousands of years of philosophy.over thousands of years of philosophy.

They are quite difficult to understand. They are quite difficult to understand.

They need to be understood They need to be understood cumulatively, rather than in isolation cumulatively, rather than in isolation from one another.from one another.

THE PROOF FROM FIRST THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSECAUSE

THE PROOF FROM FIRST THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSECAUSE

This is called the “Cosmological This is called the “Cosmological Proof.”Proof.”

THE PROOF FROM FIRST THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSECAUSE

This is called the “Cosmological This is called the “Cosmological Proof.”Proof.”

Everything is caused by something. Everything is caused by something. This is known as the cause-and-effect This is known as the cause-and-effect syndrome.syndrome.

THE PROOF FROM FIRST THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSECAUSE

This is called the “Cosmological This is called the “Cosmological Proof.”Proof.”

Everything is caused by something. Everything is caused by something. This is known as the cause-and-effect This is known as the cause-and-effect syndrome.syndrome.

The universe is an “effect” – because The universe is an “effect” – because it had a beginning.it had a beginning.

THE PROOF FROM FIRST THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSECAUSE

This is called the “Cosmological This is called the “Cosmological Proof.”Proof.”

Everything is caused by something. Everything is caused by something. This is known as the cause-and-effect This is known as the cause-and-effect syndrome.syndrome.

The universe is an “effect” – because The universe is an “effect” – because it had a beginning.it had a beginning.

The only adequate cause is the ‘first The only adequate cause is the ‘first cause” – i.e., God.cause” – i.e., God.

FOR STUDENT’S EXERCISE FOR STUDENT’S EXERCISE BOOKSBOOKS

1.1. THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSETHE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSE

* The “Cosmological Proof.”* The “Cosmological Proof.”

* Because everything needs a * Because everything needs a cause, the whole universe needs a cause, the whole universe needs a first cause.first cause.

* The first cause is God.* The first cause is God.

THE PROOF FROM DESIGN THE PROOF FROM DESIGN

THE PROOF FROM DESIGN THE PROOF FROM DESIGN

This is called the “Teleological This is called the “Teleological Proof.”Proof.”

THE PROOF FROM DESIGN THE PROOF FROM DESIGN

This is called the “Teleological This is called the “Teleological Proof.”Proof.”

In Nature, there are evidences of a In Nature, there are evidences of a design – intelligence.design – intelligence.

THE PROOF FROM DESIGN THE PROOF FROM DESIGN

This is called the “Teleological This is called the “Teleological Proof.”Proof.”

In Nature, there are evidences of a In Nature, there are evidences of a design – intelligence.design – intelligence.

Design implies a designer.Design implies a designer.

THE PROOF FROM DESIGN THE PROOF FROM DESIGN

This is called the “Teleological This is called the “Teleological Proof.”Proof.”

In Nature, there are evidences of a In Nature, there are evidences of a design – intelligence. design – intelligence.

Design implies a designer.Design implies a designer.The only adequate, intelligent The only adequate, intelligent

designer is God.designer is God.

FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE BOOKSBOOKS

2. 2. THE PROOF FROM DESIGNTHE PROOF FROM DESIGN* * The “Teleological Proof”The “Teleological Proof”* * In nature thee are evidences of In nature thee are evidences of a design – and this presumes an a design – and this presumes an intelligence behind the designintelligence behind the design..

* * A design implies an intelligent A design implies an intelligent and a powerful designer.and a powerful designer.* The designer is God.* The designer is God.

QUICK REVIEW QUIZ SO FARQUICK REVIEW QUIZ SO FAR

1.1. Is the “Cosmological Proof” – Is the “Cosmological Proof” –

(a) the proof from design?(a) the proof from design?

(b) the proof from first (b) the proof from first cause? cause?

(b) (b) THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM FIRST CAUSEFIRST CAUSE

QUICK REVIEW QUIZ SO FARQUICK REVIEW QUIZ SO FAR

2. What is the name for the “Proof 2. What is the name for the “Proof from First Cause?”from First Cause?”

(a) Cosmological Proof?(a) Cosmological Proof?

(b) Teleological Prof?(b) Teleological Prof?

(a) THE COSMOLOGICAL (a) THE COSMOLOGICAL PROOFPROOF

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”This is called the “Anthropological Proof.” Humans throughout history have shown a Humans throughout history have shown a

need to ‘worship’ something.need to ‘worship’ something.

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”This is called the “Anthropological Proof.” Humans throughout history have shown a Humans throughout history have shown a

need to ‘worship’ something.need to ‘worship’ something. Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports

star; music idol.star; music idol.

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”This is called the “Anthropological Proof.” Humans throughout history have shown a Humans throughout history have shown a

need to ‘worship’ something.need to ‘worship’ something. Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports

star; music idol.star; music idol. A need to worship must have an answer to A need to worship must have an answer to

that need. It is God.that need. It is God.

THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

This is called the “Anthropological Proof.”This is called the “Anthropological Proof.” Humans throughout history have shown a Humans throughout history have shown a

need to ‘worship’ something.need to ‘worship’ something. Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports Takes different forms – idol; hero; sports

star; music idol.star; music idol. A need to worship must have an answer to A need to worship must have an answer to

that need. It is God.that need. It is God. Different cultures have reached out in Different cultures have reached out in

different ways to the God whom they different ways to the God whom they needed to worship.needed to worship.

FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE BOOKSBOOKS

3. 3. THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ THE PROOF FROM HUMANS’ NEEDSNEEDS

The “anthropological proof.”The “anthropological proof.”Humans have an inbuilt need to “worship” Humans have an inbuilt need to “worship”

something.something.The way in which we exercise this worship The way in which we exercise this worship

takes different forms – heroes; sports stars, takes different forms – heroes; sports stars, music stars.music stars.

Our human need to worship must have an Our human need to worship must have an answer – and that answer is God.answer – and that answer is God.

ANOTHER QUICK QUIZANOTHER QUICK QUIZ

1. Is the Teleogical Proof based on:-1. Is the Teleogical Proof based on:-

(a) Design?(a) Design?

(b) Human need?(b) Human need?

(c) First cause?(c) First cause?

(a)(a) DESIGNDESIGN

ANOTHER QUICK QUIZANOTHER QUICK QUIZ

2. Does the Anthropological Proof 2. Does the Anthropological Proof say:-say:-

(a) There is design in the world (a) There is design in the world and universe?and universe?

(b) Humans are built with a need (b) Humans are built with a need to worship something?to worship something?

(c) There has to be a first cause (c) There has to be a first cause for the world?for the world?

(b) HUMANS ARE BUILT WITH (b) HUMANS ARE BUILT WITH A NEED TO WORSHIP A NEED TO WORSHIP

SOMETHINGSOMETHING

ANOTHER QUICK QUIZANOTHER QUICK QUIZ

3. What is the name of the proof 3. What is the name of the proof that says that there has to be a first that says that there has to be a first cause, and the first Cause is God?cause, and the first Cause is God?

(a) Anthropological Proof?(a) Anthropological Proof?

(b) Cosmological Proof?(b) Cosmological Proof?

(c) Teleological Proof?(c) Teleological Proof?

(b) (b) COSMOLOGICAL PROOFCOSMOLOGICAL PROOF

FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS’ EXERCISE BOOKSBOOKS

In the lower half of the page In the lower half of the page you’re writing on, write out a you’re writing on, write out a description of the most perfect description of the most perfect car you can think of:-car you can think of:-

ColourColour

FittingsFittings

EngineEngine

Anything else at all.Anything else at all.

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

This is called the “Ontological Proof.”This is called the “Ontological Proof.”

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

This is called the “Ontological Proof.”This is called the “Ontological Proof.”This is really difficult to understand. This is really difficult to understand.

But here goes …But here goes …

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

Each one of us can form a mental Each one of us can form a mental picture of our most perfect … … picture of our most perfect … … whatever (car, beach, football goal, whatever (car, beach, football goal, outfit, song).outfit, song).

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

Each one of us can form a mental Each one of us can form a mental picture of our most perfect … … picture of our most perfect … … whatever (car, beach, football goal, whatever (car, beach, football goal, outfit, song).outfit, song).

But then the person sitting next to us But then the person sitting next to us may form a mental picture of an may form a mental picture of an even even more perfectmore perfect … whatever. … whatever.

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

Each one of us can form a mental Each one of us can form a mental picture of our most perfect … … picture of our most perfect … … whatever (car, beach, football goal, whatever (car, beach, football goal, outfit, song).outfit, song).

But then the person sitting next to us But then the person sitting next to us may form a mental picture of an may form a mental picture of an even even more perfectmore perfect … whatever. … whatever.

But then … yet another person may But then … yet another person may form a mental picture of an form a mental picture of an even even more perfct more perfct whatever.whatever.

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

And so we could go on and on – And so we could go on and on – forming mental images that are forming mental images that are “better perfect” than the person’s “better perfect” than the person’s before us, and then being outdone by before us, and then being outdone by the the next person’s even-better perfect next person’s even-better perfect whatever.whatever.

((Are you still with us?)Are you still with us?)

THE PROOF FROM THE PROOF FROM PERFECTIONPERFECTION

In the end … ultimately … the “BEST In the end … ultimately … the “BEST PERFECT OF ALL” must exist - - - PERFECT OF ALL” must exist - - - otherwise someone could form a otherwise someone could form a mental picture of something that is mental picture of something that is even more perfect still!!even more perfect still!!

The ultimate perfect that must exist The ultimate perfect that must exist is God.is God.

((Most philosophers think that this Ontological Most philosophers think that this Ontological proof is not terribly important. But it is proof is not terribly important. But it is challenging to think about)challenging to think about)

THE FINAL QUIZ QUESTIONSTHE FINAL QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. “Teleological Proof” – 1. “Teleological Proof” –

(a) Human need?(a) Human need?

(b) Perfection?(b) Perfection?

(c) Design?(c) Design?

(c) (c) DESIGNDESIGN

2. Proof based on human need:-2. Proof based on human need:-

(a) Ontological?(a) Ontological?

(b) Cosmological?(b) Cosmological?

(c) Anthropological?(c) Anthropological?

(d) Teleological?(d) Teleological?

(c) ANTHROPOLOGICAL(c) ANTHROPOLOGICAL

3. Which proof is 3. Which proof is represented by this represented by this picture:-picture:-

(a) (a) Anthropological?Anthropological?

(b) Teleological(b) Teleological

(c) Cosmological?(c) Cosmological?

(d) Ontological?(d) Ontological?

(a) ANTHROPOLOGICAL(a) ANTHROPOLOGICAL

(the human need to (the human need to worship)worship)

4. What is the name of the proof that 4. What is the name of the proof that is based on the existence of the is based on the existence of the perfect being?perfect being?

(a) Teleological?(a) Teleological?

(b) Cosmological?(b) Cosmological?

(c) Ontological?(c) Ontological?

(c) (c) ONTOLOGICALONTOLOGICAL

CUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATIONCUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATION

Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-

(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 =(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 =

CUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATIONCUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATION

Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-

(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78

CUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATIONCUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATION

Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-

(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78

The final answer depends on our taking into The final answer depends on our taking into account account allall the parts of the calculation – the parts of the calculation – bothboth the numbers the numbers and alsoand also the the mathematical signs.mathematical signs.

CUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATIONCUMULATIVE, NOT IN ISOLATION

Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-Do this piece of mental arithmetic:-

(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78(2 + 5 + 6) X 6 = 78

The final answer depends on our taking into The final answer depends on our taking into account account allall the parts of the calculation – the parts of the calculation – both the numbers and the mathematical both the numbers and the mathematical signs.signs.

In the same way, the proofs for the In the same way, the proofs for the existence of God must existence of God must all be taken all be taken togethertogether (“Cumulative”) (“Cumulative”) not just one by not just one by oneone (“in isolation.” (“in isolation.”

THE CHALLENGETHE CHALLENGE

Come up with a set of “proofs” that Come up with a set of “proofs” that prove that God does prove that God does notnot exist. exist.

NB. “It’s stupid” is not a proof – it’s a NB. “It’s stupid” is not a proof – it’s a prejudiced reaction by people who prejudiced reaction by people who are not ready to do the hard work of are not ready to do the hard work of thinking through a difficult thinking through a difficult proposition.proposition.