Oty s inquiry on Necessity

Oty, hello once again!

You misunderstood the necessity of the cause of the Universe with the necessity of the Universe itself! But that's easy to distinguish:)

The Universe could not exist - it is fairly possible, given how small the chances that it expands, evolves and lives in the right rate are; it's much much more possible that the Universe would not exist. This means it is contingent - possible, not necessary.

Now take the cause of the Universe. If the Universe exists, then the cause is necessary. If there would be no cause, the universe would be impossible. But why isn't the cause also contingent? That's my favourite point! We're not talking namely about the cause that caused the Universe, for there could be other causes prior to it, but I mean the first, uncaused, necessary cause. This uncaused first cause is necessary, because it caused all the contingent reality - our Universe - which we can't say doesn't exist! Even if there is a million contingent causes prior to the universe, it is inexplicable WHY do they exist. That's why an uncaused first cause is necessary.

In other words, Oty, the contingent cause is dependent on the cause prior to it. Even if there's a billion causes prior to it, they also have to be caused by something. You can go to a possible infinity in contingent causes, but this anyway wouldn't explain why they exist. Therefore, an Uncaused first cause is necessary. I would put it like this:

1. The Universe exists
2. The universe is contingent
3. It follows, an Uncaused First Cause exists.


And there's another interesting thing here - if the uncaused first cause has no cause prior to it, then not anything can cause it to do something - except it's own free choice. But, the Uncaused First Cause 'did' something! Therefore, the Uncaused First Cause is a personal entity!

It took me a long time to grasp this. Natural theology was challenging even for Saint Thomas Aquinas - so don't blame yourself if you're tough with understanding it. We all are.


Yours,
Mike























Oty, hello once again!
You misunderstood the necessity of the CAUSE of the Universe with the necessity of the UNIVERSE itself! But that’s easy to distinguish:)

The Universe could not exist – it is fairly possible, given how small the chances that it expands and evolves in the right rate are; it’s much much more possible that the Universe would not exist. This means it is CONTINGENT – possible, not necessary. Pair contingency to the word ‘MIGHT’, while Necessity’s companion is ‘MUST’. So the Universe is far from being obliged to be life-permitting.

Now take the cause of the Universe. If the Universe exists, then the cause is necessary. If there would be no cause, the universe would be impossible. But why isn’t the cause also contingent? That’s my favorite point! We’re not talking namely about the cause that caused the Universe, for there could be other causes prior to it, but I mean the first, uncaused, necessary cause. This uncaused first cause is necessary, because it caused all the contingent reality – our Universe – which we can’t say doesn’t exist! Even if there is a million contingent causes prior to the universe, it is inexplicable WHY do they exist. That’s why an uncaused first cause is NECESSARY.

In other words, Oty, the contingent cause is dependent on the cause prior to it. Even if there’s a billion causes prior to it, they also have to be caused by something. You can go to a possible infinity in contingent causes, but this anyway wouldn’t explain why they exist. Therefore, an Uncaused first cause is necessary. I would put it like this:
1. The Universe exists
2. The universe is contingent
3. It follows, an Uncaused First Cause exists (to let the contingent existing Universe exist).

And there’s another interesting thing here – if the uncaused first cause has no cause prior to it, then not anything can cause it to do something – except it’s own free choice. But, the Uncaused First Cause ‘did’ something – it caused the contingent Universe! Therefore, the Uncaused First Cause is a PERSONAL entity with free will!

It took me a long time to grasp this. Natural theology was challenging even for Saint Thomas Aquinas – so don’t blame yourself you’re tough on it. We all are.

Yours,
Mike