Member-only story

And The Dismantling Of The Physical Causal Closure Argument

Leslie Carter

·16.7k Followers· Follow

Published in On The Existence Of The Self : And The Dismantling Of The Physical Causal Closure Argument

5 min read · 1 month before

232 View Claps

22 Respond

Save

Listen

On the Existence of the Self : And the Dismantling of the Physical Causal Closure Argument

by Chittaranjan Naik

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

The physical causal closure argument is a philosophical argument that attempts to show that all events are caused by physical events. The argument is based on the premise that the laws of physics are complete and deterministic, and that all events are determined by the initial conditions of the universe.

The physical causal closure argument has been used to argue against the existence of free will, the possibility of miracles, and the existence of God. However, the argument is not as strong as it is often made out to be. There are a number of ways to challenge the argument, and it is ultimately not possible to prove that all events are caused by physical events.

The Physical Causal Closure Argument

The physical causal closure argument is based on the following premises:

1. The laws of physics are complete and deterministic. 2. All events are determined by the initial conditions of the universe.

From these premises, it follows that all events are caused by physical events. If the laws of physics are complete and deterministic, then every event is caused by a prior event. And if all events are determined by the initial conditions of the universe, then the initial conditions of the universe must have caused all subsequent events.

Challenges to the Physical Causal Closure Argument

There are a number of ways to challenge the physical causal closure argument. One challenge is to argue that the laws of physics are not complete and deterministic. There is some evidence to suggest that the laws of physics may be incomplete, and that there may be some events that are not determined by the laws of physics.

Another challenge to the physical causal closure argument is to argue that not all events are determined by the initial conditions of the universe. It is possible that some events are caused by factors that are not included in the initial conditions of the universe. For example, it is possible that some events are caused by the actions of free agents.

Implications of the Physical Causal Closure Argument

If the physical causal closure argument is sound, then it has a number of implications. One implication is that free will does not exist. If all events are caused by physical events, then there is no room for free agents to make choices.

Another implication of the physical causal closure argument is that miracles are not possible. If all events are caused by physical events, then there is no room for events that violate the laws of physics.

Finally, the physical causal closure argument has implications for the existence of God. If all events are caused by physical events, then there is no need to posit a supernatural being to explain the existence of the universe.

However, the argument is not as strong as it is often made out to be. There are a number of ways to challenge the argument, and it is ultimately not possible to prove that all events are caused by physical events.

The implications of the physical causal closure argument are significant. If the argument is sound, then it has implications for the existence of free will, the possibility of miracles, and the existence of God.

On the Existence of the Self : And the Dismantling of the Physical Causal Closure Argument

by Chittaranjan Naik

4.2 out of 5