Question 1

In the reading, Demea proposes an a posteriori argument.

Accepted Answer

In the reading, Demea proposes an a priori argument, not an a posteriori argument. A priori arguments are based on reason and intuition, while a posteriori arguments are based on experience and observation.

Question 2

According to Demea, "The unity too of the Divine Nature, it is very difficult, if not absolutely impossible, to deduce merely from contemplating the beliefs of the ancients."

Accepted Answer

This statement is not attributed to Demea but rather reflects a philosophical argument that might be discussed in the context of dialogues on natural theology, such as those by David Hume, where characters like Demea discuss religious and philosophical topics. However, the specific quote does not accurately represent Demea's or Hume's views on the unity of the Divine Nature and its deduction from ancient beliefs.

Question 3

Demea asserts as a general principle that "Whatever exists must have a cause or reason of its existence."

Accepted Answer

Demea is asserting the principle of causality, which states that everything that exists has a cause or reason for its existence.

Question 4

According to Demea, "We must, therefore, have recourse to a transcendently fertile Being, who carries the reason of his existence in himself, and who cannot be supposed not to exist, without an express contradiction. There is, consequently, such a Being; that is, there is a Deity."

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Demea, "We must, therefore, have...

Question 5

According to Cleanthes, "Nothing is demonstrable, unless the contrary implies a contradiction."

Accepted Answer

This statement is known as Cleanthes' principle of non-contradiction and is a cornerstone of deductive reasoning. It means that in order for something to be proven or demonstrated, its opposite must contain a logical contradiction.

Question 6

According to Cleanthes, "There is no being, therefore, whose non-existence implies a contradiction. Consequently there is no being, whose existence is demonstrable."

Accepted Answer

Cleanthes' argument is that if the non-existence of a being does not imply a contradiction, then that being's existence cannot be proven through demonstration.

Question 7

Cleanthes asserts, "Therefore, the words necessary existence have no meaning; or, which is the same thing, none that is consistent."

Accepted Answer

This statement is from David Hume's "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion," where the character Cleanthes argues against the concept of necessary existence, suggesting it is incoherent or meaningless.

Question 8

Explain in detail Demea's a priori argument for the existence of God.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain in detail Demea's a priori argument...

Question 9

Do you agree with Demea's general principle that "Whatever exists must have a cause or reason of its existence"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Demea's general principle...

Question 10

What does Cleanthes mean in this passage: "Nothing is demonstrable, unless the contrary implies a contradiction"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Cleanthes mean in this passage:...

Question 11

Explain what Cleanthes means in this passage: "There is no being, therefore, whose non-existence implies a contradiction. Consequently there is no being, whose existence is demonstrable."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what Cleanthes means in this passage:...

Question 12

Cleanthes asserts, "Therefore, the words necessary existence have no meaning." Do you agree with Cleanthes? How does it affect Demea's argument?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cleanthes asserts, "Therefore, the words necessary existence...

Question 13

Kierkegaard says, "For if God does not exist it would of course be ..."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard suggests that if God does not exist, it would be impossible to prove God's existence, as proving something that does not exist is inherently contradictory.

Question 14

Kierkegaard says, "But if when I speak of proving God's existence I mean that I propose to prove that the Unknown, which exists, is God, then I express myself unfortunately. For in that case I do not prove anything, least of all an existence, but merely develop the content of a ..."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard is saying that attempting to prove the existence of God by defining Him as the Unknown is not really proving anything, but rather expanding upon a preconceived idea or conception.

Question 15

Kierkegaard says, "Thus I always reason from _________, not toward _________, whether I move in the sphere of palpable sensible fact or in the realm of thought."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard's philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual existence and subjective experience. He believes that we should reason from existence (our own subjective experience and existence) rather than trying to fit our existence into predetermined categories or concepts (such as thoughts or certainty). Therefore, the correct choice is C: reasoning from existence to existence.

Question 16

Kierkegaard says, "But between the God and his works there is an absolute relationship; God is not a name but a ________. Is this perhaps the reason that his essentia involvit existentiam [essence involves existence]?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kierkegaard says, "But between the God and...

Question 17

Kierkegaard says, "What then is the Unknown? It is the limit to which the ________ repeatedly comes."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard believes that reason is limited and cannot fully understand or comprehend the Unknown, which is beyond the realm of reason. The Unknown is the limit to which reason repeatedly comes, but cannot surpass.

Question 18

Kierkegaard argues that although we think our proofs get close to proving God's existence, the final step is always a ...

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard argues that ultimately, belief in God requires a leap of faith beyond what reason or proofs can provide. He critiques the finite human mind for trying to comprehend the infinite nature of God, and argues that true faith involves a surrender of the self to the unknown and unknowable.

Question 19

Kierkegaard says, "For if God does not exist it would of course be impossible for free will to exist."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard believed in the existence of free will regardless of the existence of God. He argued that human beings have the ability to make individual choices and decisions, which is a key aspect of free will.

Question 20

Kierkegaard says, "But if when I speak of proving God's existence I mean that I propose to prove that the Unknown, which exists, is God, then I express myself unfortunately. For in that case I do not prove anything, least of all an existence, but merely develop the content of a conception."

Accepted Answer

Kierkegaard argues that attempting to prove God's existence as a concept or idea is not proving anything, but rather just exploring the content of that concept. He believes that the true existence of God cannot be proven or disproven through logical or rational arguments.

Quiz 4: Plato the Beginning of Everything