Array
(
    [fullTitle] => Cosmological Argument: A Pragmatic Defense
    [abstract] => We formulate a sort of “generic” Cosmological argument, i.e., a Cosmological argument that shares premises (e.g., “contingent, concretely existing entities have a cause”) with numerous versions of the argument. We then defend each of the premises by offering pragmatic arguments for them. We show that an endorsement of each premise will lead to an increase in expected utility; so in the absence of strong evidence that the premises are false, it is rational to endorse them. Therefore, it is rational to endorse the Cosmological argument, and so rational to endorse theism. We then consider possible objections. 
    [authors] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [givenName] => Evan
                    [affiliation] => University of Colorado
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [givenName] => Jason L.
                    [affiliation] => Old Dominion University
                )

        )

    [keywords] => Array
        (
        )

    [doi] => 10.24204/ejpr.v2i1.354
    [datePublished] => 2010-03-21
    [pdf] => https://www.philosophy-of-religion.eu/menuscript/index.php/ejpr/article/view/354/version/301/328
)
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Cosmological Argument: A Pragmatic Defense

Evan
University of Colorado

Jason L.
Old Dominion University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.v2i1.354

Abstract

We formulate a sort of “generic” Cosmological argument, i.e., a Cosmological argument that shares premises (e.g., “contingent, concretely existing entities have a cause”) with numerous versions of the argument. We then defend each of the premises by offering pragmatic arguments for them. We show that an endorsement of each premise will lead to an increase in expected utility; so in the absence of strong evidence that the premises are false, it is rational to endorse them. Therefore, it is rational to endorse the Cosmological argument, and so rational to endorse theism. We then consider possible objections. 

Keywords:

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