Argument from Contingency
The argument from contingency (or modal cosmological argument) is a version of the cosmological argument that states if the universe has a possibility to not exist, it is not necessary, it is contingent. What distinguishes this argument from other versions of the cosmological argument is that it it is consistent with the universe does not have a beginning. Of course, scientific evidence and mathematical arguments all seem to show that the universe had a beginning, and a universe being caused is a form of contingency. There are other types of contingency, such as something being dependent on something else for its existence, such as humans being dependent on the atmosphere to live. We are not caused to live by the atmosphere, but we are dependent on it.
The argument states:
1. Anything contingent is caused or dependent on something necessary for its existence.
2. If the universe is caused or dependent on something else, it is dependent or caused by God.
3. The universe is contingent.
4. The universe is dependent or caused by something else (from 1 and 3).
5. The universe is dependent or caused by God (from 2 and 4).
Premise 1
If something is not necessary, it is not dependent on nothing. Which means it is dependent on something else. Only necessary beings can be dependent on nothing, they cannot be subject to chance either. Thus, to show that something does not have a 100% chance of happening, it is dependent or caused.
There cannot be an infinite string of contingencies, so we'll eventually need to trace it back to a necessary being.
Premise 2
Although the argument cannot directly show the universe was caused by God, we can establish a few things about the being that did cause it.
- Necessary, as there cannot be an infinite string of causes and dependencies.
- Powerful, as there is a large amount of energy in the universe.
- Intelligent, as the universe follows laws.
These are all traits of God, showing this does support the case for the existence of God, but does not directly prove it.
Premise 3
The most common way to show the universe is contingent is to prove the universe is caused. There are multiple evidences for this, such as:
- The amount of entropy in the universe is increasing. If the universe existed eternally, the universe would have reached maximum entropy. As this is not the case, we can conclude the universe is not eternal.
- The expansion of the universe has been observed to be accelerating. If the universe's expansion increases, it would not allow the universe to retract. Which would mean there had to be a beginning.
There are only 3 types of beings. Necessary, contingent, and impossible. The universe is not impossible, as it exists. It is not necessary, as necessary beings cannot have causes, but the universe does. Through the process of elimination, we can see the universe is contingent.
