CJO - Abstract - A new cosmological argument

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Religious Studies (1999), 35 : 461-476 Cambridge University Press
doi:10.1017/S0034412599005004 (About doi)
 
Religious Studies (1999), 35:461-476 Cambridge University Press
Copyright © 1999 Cambridge University Press
Research Article

A new cosmological argument

RICHARD M. GALE a1 and ALEXANDER R. PRUSS a1
a1 Department of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Abstract

We present a valid deductive cosmological argument for the necessary existence of a powerful and intelligent creator of the actual universe. Whereas traditional cosmological arguments had to employ a strong version of the principle of sufficient reason that held that every fact actually has an explanation, our argument can make do with the weak version of Duns Scotus according to which every fact possibly has an explanation. As a result, our argument is less vulnerable to the charge of begging the question than are these traditional cosmological arguments.



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