Question

Science has shown that the universe had a beginning, and we know it exists. Within religion, a universe that had a beginning is explained by a Cause in sacred scriptures, in general in the form of everything that had a beginning must have a sufficient cause for its coming into existence. How have philosophers, as distinct from scientists and theologians, handled this?

This is not a question "pushing a personal philosophy", but one posing a very important query into the existential domain of reality that any credible philosophy must face: the origin of the universe and all within it. The answer would have very serious implications to the ultimate meaning or purposelessness of life.

So has any philosopher or philosophy given a credible answer to the ultimate Cause question?

Answer 1

Philosophers have proposed various concepts to explain the origin of the universe, including the First Cause and First Mover by Aristotle, and a mix of necessity and mind in Plato's 'Timaeus'. The implications of entropy also suggest a finite beginning to the universe, a debate central to both philosophical and scientific discourse. The mystery of existence and the laws governing it remain a profound philosophical question.

Step-by-step explanation:

Philosophers have long grappled with the question of the origin of the universe and the nature of its cause. Aristotle, for instance, posited that there must be a First Cause to explain the existence of the universe, as nothing comes from nothing.

He also introduced the idea of a First Mover to account for the motion in the universe, rejecting an infinite progression of causes.

Another philosophical approach comes from Plato's dialogue 'Timaeus,' where he speaks of the universe being created by a combination of necessity and mind (intellect), with the 'mind' persuading 'necessity' to bring most of creation to a state of perfection. This suggests the universe is a mix of deterministic laws and some form of intelligent design.

Philosophers have also addressed the concept of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, suggesting that if the universe had an infinite past, it would have run out of energy by now, implying that the universe had a beginning.

The cause of this beginning, whether caused or uncaused, becomes the focal point of philosophical debate, with many, contra Hume, asserting that every event must have a cause.

The discussion also relates to the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe (astrobiology), as understanding the origin and nature of life on Earth might provide insights into the possibilities of life beyond our planet.

The metaphysical question of why the universe exists remains challenging. Theists and atheists alike face difficult questions whether it is 'Who created God?' or 'Where did the laws of physics come from?', pointing to the profound mystery of existence that both religious and secular thought attempt to resolve.