God As Grounding Cause

[robvalue]

They also don't realize that they are often asking the wrong questions, because certain conclusions are loaded in already:

"Who created the universe?"

There's at least 3 conclusions loaded into that simple question.

1. the universe is created

2. the creator must be a "who"... a being... rather than a phenomenon

3. What's the third baked-in conclusion?

Baked-in, I like that

I was splitting up the first conclusion into steps, just to point out how many possibilities have been excluded:

1a. The universe hasn't always existed

1b. The universe (as we know it) isn't a remnant of some other universe

1c. The universe didn't just start for no reason

1d. The universe was created

There is also the implicit assumption that something else exists outside "our universe", or else all theological attempts fall flat.

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I respect that he admits that we can learn nothing about this cause. Trying to call the cause "God" is a shifty play though (I'm not sure if he's doing this or not) as it tries to sneak in sentience and grandeur without justification.

I'll add to my questions:

Why can't there be ten eternal things, with one/all of them causing everything else?

I don't agree with what he posted. I just think he is at least can be reasoned with. Also there are some jumps in reasoning that aren't explained. For example:

Dresser ← Carpenter ← X ← F 

Here he assumes all things are created or change in a radial or linear matter. It unfortunately isn't that simple as things could be cyclic or looping, as we note with the rain cycle.  There is just too much to consider, it can be concluded we are very very far away from discovering if or how the universe was created or started or whatever term is preferred. (We might just be chasing after nothing until extinction though lol).

Correct, and it's also a conflation of the beginning of literal existence and the taking of particular forms that we assign significance to (like a dresser).

I hope he does come back to discuss with us, but I have the feeling this was a hit and run.