...University Foundational Values Paper Whether you believe in evolution, intelligent design, a freak accident, or any other religion one of those has to be right… Right? This paper will show the exploration of these ideas, and my opinion. Thinking about the universe can be extremely confusing. No doubt there are a thousand different ways that the universe could have come into existence. The debate is not, “Is there a universe?”, but, “What is the universe? Why is the universe here? Who or what created the universe?” When thought through, most everyone believes that the universe was created. Philosophically the idea of an infinite past is absurd, in fact infinite is just a concept of our imagination. When exactly did the development of the universe occur? Did it simply develop one day, or take millions of years? When we think logically universe obviously had to have been created. The Big Bang represents the universe as a coming into being out of nothing. According to this argument, the universe must have come from nothing, by nothing. This is one of the most widely accepted theories of the origin of the universe. It is taught in schools and almost all universities. All of these constants and quantities have to be perfect to create the world we currently live in, if anything was altered in the least nothing would be here, nothing would have happened. How exactly can this fine tuning be so great by chance alone? It is an extremely unlikely. As William C. Mitchell said...
Words: 1532 - Pages: 7
...existence of the world or universe and the existence of a being that created this world or universe and maintains its existence. According to many studies, the cosmological argument comes in two forms: the modal cosmological arguments and the temporal kalam cosmological arguments. The modal cosmological argument The modal cosmological argument, also known as the argument from contingency, suggest that the universe existence requires an explanation. In other words, there must be a cause that can explain why the universe exists now. The modal cosmological argument places the universe as a contingent being. A contingent being is something that requires a cause of existence. On the contrary, the cosmological argument explains a second type of being: a necessary being. A necessary being is something that does not require an explanation or cause of its existence, a being that could not have failed to exist. In conclusion, the ultimate cause of everything that exist must then be a necessary being. The modal cosmological argument places this necessary being in God’s existence. The modal cosmological argument bases on the following premises: 1. If something exists, what it takes for that thing to exist must exist. 2. The universe exists. 3. Therefore, what it takes for the universe to exist must exist. 4. What it takes for the universe to exist cannot exist within the universe or be bounded by space and time. 5. Therefore, what it takes for the universe to exist must...
Words: 2119 - Pages: 9
...In the world of philosophy, physicalism (materialism) states there is no other existence outside the three dimensional physical world and that everything is composed of and understood by physical properties. I dispute this claim for many reasons. Many of the changes in the physical world originate from non physical things such as abstract metaphysical thinking. Another reason is that many of the experiences of life we have cannot be grasped by physically. Lastly, we have to consider the possibility that there are dimensions and other higher intelligence that surpass the three dimensional perceptual constraints that we humans have. The physical world is composed of physical substances. With the addition of energy we have a physical world. Anything in our universe can be categorized and understood within physical terms, so the physicalist says. In this case, I disagree because some changes in the physical world are not caused by physical things but rather, by the metaphysical. There are, however, some exceptions like: an exploding star. A supernova is caused by the ceased production of fusion energy resulting in the collapse of the star under the force of its own gravity. I agree such things can be determined by physicists in terms of the physical. What I am arguing for is the potential and capabilities of the human viewpoint and its consciousness. Changes and various phenomena in our world come from strings of thought. In terms of living conscious beings, actions cannot spontaneous...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe”. Wiesel found himself a target of the Nazi “Final Solution” while still only a teenager. Confined first to ghettos, Wiesel along with his whole family were then deported to the death camps at Auschwitz in 1944. The tough labor, the gruesome beatings along with the terrible conditions of Auschwitz...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...greater desire to understand the fundamental properties of this universe. It’s ironic really, because, according to Philosophy: The Power of Ideas, Western philosophy began when Thales of Greece considered the possibility that there must be some “fundamental kind of stuff” everything in the universe is made of. (Moore 22) While Thales was on the right track, he was wrong to suggest that thing was water, but his reasoning was based on logic. Despite being incorrect, Thales assumptions led to the beginning of metaphysics, the study of a simpler underlying reality, and that is what physics is today. In fact, theoretical physicists of today do just about anything they can to make their equations simpler. For example, we believe there are four fundamental forces of the universe: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Each one of these forces alone is represented by ugly, chaotic equations. In an attempt to “splice” all four equations together, each equation was revised to include a component that allowed the forces to operate in 10 dimensions instead of the four we are familiar with. Low and behold, after the adjustment, the equations magically fit together like puzzle pieces in a theory called heterotic string theory, also known as M-theory. Not only does the equation appear simpler but it also predicts that there is indeed a fundamental substance at the base of all creation in the universe. While the original string theory emerged in 1943, this final...
Words: 3200 - Pages: 13
...predict more than four dimensions but the extra dimensions are "curled up" within the Planck length. In addition to the strings, string theory contains another type of fundamental object called a brane, which can have many more dimensions. In some "braneworld scenarios," our universe is actually "stuck" inside of a 3-dimensional brane, called a 3-brane. Common Sense tells us we live in a world defined by three spatial dimensions and one dimension of time. Mainly, it only takes three numbers to pinpoint your physical location at any given moment. On Earth, these coordinates break down to longitude, latitude and altitude representing the dimensions of length, width and height (or depth). If we put a time stamp on those coordinates, we are pinpointed in time as well. To strip that down even more, a one-dimensional world would be like a single bead on a measured thread. You can slide the bead forward and you can slide the bead backward, but you only need one number to figure out its exact location on the string: length. Where's the bead? It's at the 6-inch mark, a world that a philosopher would not be able to survive in, due to it being only one way to figure something out. In a two-dimensional world, it is essentially a...
Words: 1051 - Pages: 5
...In my short life on this planet, I have come to question things that many don’t take the time to think about. Such as how the world was created, is there really a God, did human beings evolved from different organism, or did God create us? During my childhood, my grandparents believed that God created everything because the bible stated that. At first, I did believe God created everything we’ve come to know, but that changed when I entered high school. My 10th grade teacher believed in evolution, which is the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. Having two different worldviews taught to me, I began to develop my own worldview which...
Words: 700 - Pages: 3
...My worldview is the set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of Reality that ground and influence all my perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing (see What is a Worldview?). My worldview includes my beliefs about the nature and sources of knowledge (my epistemology), my beliefs about the ultimate nature of Reality (my metaphysics), my beliefs about the origins and nature of the universe (my cosmology), my beliefs about the meaning and purpose of the universe and its inhabitants (my teleology), my beliefs about the existence and nature of God (my theology), my beliefs about the nature and purpose of Man (my anthropology), and my beliefs about the nature of value and the value of things (my axiology). The general beliefs that are my worldview shape not only how I see the world, but also profoundly influence the particular beliefs I come to hold, the judgements and decisions I make, and all that I think, say, and do. My worldview is so fundamental to what I do, and indeed, what I am, that it would be intellectually dishonest for me not to offer it for examination. If you are to understand me and to understand what I say and do, you must know something of my worldview. So I set it forth for you here, not in the form of a lengthy argument, but as a set of assertions. I believe them to be true, but I leave it to you to reflect on them yourself and judge their validity. I am a Christian, and my worldview is a biblical Christian worldview. So I have decided to present it in the...
Words: 5729 - Pages: 23
...Atheists and theists have opposing views on how the universe as we know it came in to being. According to atheism, evolution can explain all we see in the universe. The process of evolution which began with the big bang started the universe and all that is within it. Theists see the world full of design and order and believe it came about through an intelligent creator. Atheists do not believe in God because they have not seen clear proof that he exists (McCloskey, 1968). In his article “On Being an Atheist”, H. J. Mccloskey explains why he believes that God does not exist. The theist believes that an intelligent creator is the best explanation for all that we experience in the universe. Personal experience leads many to begin to think about God. Some wonder about the purpose of their life; while others might be struggling reasons for pain and suffering. It helps to believe that our pain and suffering are for some ultimate purpose and that eventually some good can come from it. Faith in God can be arrived at intelligently through reason. We may not be able to prove that God exists but there is convincing evidence to believe he does. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions about what we believe and why we believe it. Our answers will help to strengthen our own faith and give others something to think about. If something is worth believing, it is worth defending. The cosmological argument concludes that everything in the universe depends on something else for its existence. McCloskey...
Words: 1678 - Pages: 7
...Philosophy of Religion My God or Your God Throughout the history of mankind, humans have believed and had no doubt in the existence of a God or gods, for thousands of years. People lived their lives believing and worshiping some sort of superior power. But after thousands of years, we notice that in the 19th century and beyond to present day, people have lost connection with God and stopped having faith. In regards to faith, I believe that we are limited with evidence, therefore we have limited answers. With so many beliefs, religions, and faiths out there in the world, it is easy for someone to give up in their faith, and end up believing in nothing. We then potentially become atheists or agnostics. Also, if we are born with no strong background religion, then it will be impossible for someone to believe in God or any faith. I think people take the easy route; if it does not make sense to them, then they automatically do not believe in it. This acquisition questions our purpose of living in this world. Why are we here? What is our purpose? These questions I believe are difficult or maybe even impossible to understand. As a Gnostic theist I strongly believe that God does exist. I am going to defend my position using the teleological argument. Here are the reasons that I am going to discuss that justify the existence of God: 1. the universe has complex purposes. 2. The human mind is incapable of understanding the complexity and aims of the universe. 3. There are no valid objections...
Words: 2596 - Pages: 11
...defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence". I chose to compare and contrast my Christian (Biblical) worldview with Naturalism. Genesis 1:1 (ESV): notes “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” My Christian belief is that God spoke, and the universe came into existence. Ron Nash (1999) notes: “A worldview contains a person’s answers to the major questions in life…It is a conceptual framework, pattern, or arrangement of a person’s belief.”(p. 13). Christians and Naturalist have different worldviews when it comes to ultimate reality. My Christian belief of ultimate reality is that God is the “ultimate”, however, Naturalist do not share the same belief, a naturalist’s belief is “that man lives in a closed universe and that the massive advances in the natural sciences have made God redundant and no longer needed as an explanation for existence and order in the universe.” God is the source of all things. He is the fulfillment of all scripture: He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is the fulfillment of all promises God makes to His people. “The meaning of all the Scriptures is unlocked by the death and resurrection of Jesus.”(Goldsworthy, 2000, p. 54). The Naturalists thought is that the human mind is the source of the universe, they separate reality into realms known as subjective truth (religion & ethics) emotions and objective truth (science) reason. Naturalist, Bertrand...
Words: 1179 - Pages: 5
...Straughter Guthrie 9/20/12 Indifference in the Universe All through my life, I was taught to think that the universe was guided and created by a higher being. After many years of education and increased interest in such things I have come to think that the universe is indifferent. Meaning that the universe as a whole is not moralistic at all, bad things do not happen to bad people and good things do not happen to good people. Things just simply occur to no one’s benefit at all everything has reason and purpose. Thus being said sometimes people may think there is no God. I do believe in God not as a moralistic God or a just God, but a supreme God. First there are many different types of religions in this world and many have commonalties such as a heaven or a hell. Which are good places and bad places for where people go when they die and meet certain requirements (usually moral)? These similarities are the result of a universal effect called suffering, every human being on earth rather rich or poor suffers. Suffering is the cause and the effect is humans attempting to answer suffering, i.e. heavens, nirvana, hell etc. People cannot explain why we suffer; therefore a trait of humanity attempts to answer this question, hope. People live, suffer and exist in this world and what happens after they leave is totally irrelevant. In my thought of indifference it has made me come to believe that everything in the universe is pre-arranged. Pre-arranged reality- meaning that everything...
Words: 568 - Pages: 3
...stems from the realization of a false truth during my young teen years, the time in which individuals seeks to discover their identity and purpose in life. Throughout my childhood I have been raised to believe a set of principles in the Christian Traditions, and I came to a conclusion of not necessarily believing everything that was though to me. I would ask myself questions such as If I was born in the Middle East would I still have become a Christian? If there truly was one right religion, why are there so many others? and If God is all god why do some of his creation create the concept of evil? Moreover, I didn’t consider religion an important aspect of my life so I decided to become mainly an atheist, but I couldn’t cope with losing everything that I used to believe in....
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...believing people have become unsure. I guess the question is either God exists or He doesn't. There really is no middle territory, and any attempt to remain neutral in relation to God's existence is automatically putting you in the category of unbelief. The age old question is far from being an irrelevant one, because if God does exist, then nothing else really matters; if He does not exist, then what does really matter at all. Until now I've never been put in a position where my faith was questioned. I found this title somewhere, I cannot remember where I saw it, but it describes me the best it can; as a recovering Catholic, I really am in no man’s land. Do I believe or not believe, that is the stand I have to take in this paper one way or another, yes or no, black or white. At that point this became more than a final paper. Can I, comfortably write a paper stating that God does not exist? After thorough personal inflection, I had my answer, and with much of my upbringing weighing down on me. I will try making my case for the existence of God. ("God." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 29 April 2009) What better place to start, than Simon Blackburn On Blackburn's projectivist view; after he sketched the outlines of his projectivist theory of moral discourse and some reasons to prefer it versus its rivals, Blackburn turns to an apparent dilemma facing the projectivist. The problem is that the projectivist appears to be committed to either declaring...
Words: 1960 - Pages: 8
...certain religion or believe in the same God or a God at all, but everyone has a set of views and beliefs about the universe and life in general that they live their life by. Whether it is conscious or subconscious, everyone possesses a worldview. A Christian worldview is a more specific belief system that consists of many aspects. It is a view that mediates from our understanding and experiences of the world and I believe that my worldview generally matches up to that of a Christian worldview, but has its differences. Christians generally believe that God is the center and origin of all things, he is self-defining and he created everyone for a specific purpose. For one, I do believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I am also a follower of the Christian faith. However, I am still young and trying to discover different aspects of myself and how I see and interpret the world. Since I am still experiencing the world and seeing different aspects of it daily, my worldview is constantly changing. What I perceive as my worldview has its similarities and differences from a Christian worldview. For example, there are two views to the development of the universe. One is that the universe was an accident and just happened through what is known as the Big Bang Theory. The other view is that there is some supernatural power that gives us order and created the world and everything in it. These are two completely different views, but they are continuously feuded between followers...
Words: 1464 - Pages: 6
