(Nico Demusopelous) wrote:
Of course, the valid argument given in that post was just an example.
The more serious argument (which is also valid) is the following:
(1) A causal chain either stretches back infinitely or
it stretches back a finite distance.
Reasonable.
(2) You cannot have an infinite causal regress (i.e. a
causal chain that stretches back infinitely).
Why not?
(3) If you have a finite causal regress (i.e. a causal
chain that stretches back a finite distance),
there must be a first cause.
Reasonable, given that premise.
(4) Therefore, every causal chain has a first cause.
Only if your premise at (2) is true.
(5) A first cause is either personal or mechanical.
Probably.
(6) A first cause cannot be mechanical.
Why not?
(7) Therefore, a first cause is personal.
Only if (6) is true.
So I would want two questions answering before I accept your chain of
reasoning here:
Why can you not have infinite causal regress?
Why can a first cause not be mechanical?
--
Midjis
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