The Argument from Efficient Causality

DemonstrativeConcludes that something exists.

Argument form

Modus ponens (a regress argument establishes that a first producer is possible; P4 carries it from possible to actual)

Concludes to

First cause (a first efficient cause, existing of itself)

Premise ground

Metaphysical (essentially ordered causes cannot proceed without end; what can exist yet cannot be produced exists of itself)

Modal strength

Actual (existing of itself, by P4; necessity not asserted on the face)

What it licenses

• first
• aseity (unproducible, of itself)

Period

Medieval (c. 1300)

Tradition

Scotist

This formulation is ours, composed from the primary source and compressed to fit the card; the argument admits of other statements. Objections have been made to every argument in the deck; where one is linked above, it is chosen by us, not written by us.

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