,PHIL 201 Quiz 7 | Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which argument for God is Anselm of Canterbury most known for?
A) The Cosmological Argument
B) The Teleological Argument
C) The Ontological Argument
D) The Moral Argument
Correct Answer: The Ontological Argument
Rationale: Anselm of Canterbury is best known for his formulation of the Ontological
Argument, which defines God as the "greatest conceivable being" and argues that God must
actually exist, for it is greater to exist in reality than in the understanding alone. The
Cosmological Argument is associated with Thomas Aquinas and William Lane Craig, and
the Teleological Argument with design arguments.
2. According to the Kalam Cosmological Argument, which of the following statements is
true?
A) The universe has always existed and had no beginning
B) The universe has a beginning and therefore has a cause
C) The universe created itself out of nothing
D) The universe is an illusion and does not exist
Correct Answer: The universe has a beginning and therefore has a cause
Rationale: The Kalam Cosmological Argument posits that the universe has a beginning,
whatever begins to exist has a cause, and therefore the universe has a cause. The second
,law of thermodynamics supports the universe's beginning by showing that usable energy
decreases over time in a closed system.
3. If the Cosmological Argument is successful, what does it suggest exists?
A) A finite, contingent being
B) A Transcendent Cause
C) An impersonal force
D) A material substance only
Correct Answer: A Transcendent Cause
Rationale: If successful, the Cosmological Argument suggests the existence of a
Transcendent Cause—a being beyond the material universe that is responsible for its
origin. This conclusion is consistent with classical theism, which holds that God is the
uncaused first cause of all that exists.
4. According to William Lane Craig, the expansion of the universe provides evidence for:
A) The eternality of the universe
B) The universe having a beginning
C) The universe being an illusion
D) The universe being self-caused
Correct Answer: The universe having a beginning
Rationale: William Lane Craig argues that the expansion of the universe supports the
Kalam Cosmological Argument by providing evidence that the universe had a beginning. An
expanding universe is consistent with the idea that the universe began to exist at a finite
point in the past, contrary to the idea of an eternal universe.
, 5. Which philosopher argued that the teleological argument was unsuccessful in showing
that the Christian God exists?
A) Thomas Aquinas
B) William Lane Craig
C) David Hume
D) Alvin Plantinga
Correct Answer: David Hume
Rationale: David Hume thought the teleological argument was unsuccessful in showing
that the Christian God exists. Hume's critique of the argument from design is a classic
objection to natural theology, arguing that the evidence of apparent design does not
necessarily point to the God of classical theism.
6. What does the fine-tuning argument attempt to demonstrate?
A) That the universe has no purpose or design
B) That the physical constants of the universe are finely tuned to permit life and suggest a
designer
C) That the universe is eternal and uncaused
D) That morality is independent of God
Correct Answer: That the physical constants of the universe are finely tuned to permit
life and suggest a designer
Rationale: The fine-tuning argument is a teleological argument that begins with the
observation that life is possible in our universe only because the constants found in
physical laws have values that fall in very narrow ranges. It concludes that this fine-tuning
is best explained by an intelligent designer.
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which argument for God is Anselm of Canterbury most known for?
A) The Cosmological Argument
B) The Teleological Argument
C) The Ontological Argument
D) The Moral Argument
Correct Answer: The Ontological Argument
Rationale: Anselm of Canterbury is best known for his formulation of the Ontological
Argument, which defines God as the "greatest conceivable being" and argues that God must
actually exist, for it is greater to exist in reality than in the understanding alone. The
Cosmological Argument is associated with Thomas Aquinas and William Lane Craig, and
the Teleological Argument with design arguments.
2. According to the Kalam Cosmological Argument, which of the following statements is
true?
A) The universe has always existed and had no beginning
B) The universe has a beginning and therefore has a cause
C) The universe created itself out of nothing
D) The universe is an illusion and does not exist
Correct Answer: The universe has a beginning and therefore has a cause
Rationale: The Kalam Cosmological Argument posits that the universe has a beginning,
whatever begins to exist has a cause, and therefore the universe has a cause. The second
,law of thermodynamics supports the universe's beginning by showing that usable energy
decreases over time in a closed system.
3. If the Cosmological Argument is successful, what does it suggest exists?
A) A finite, contingent being
B) A Transcendent Cause
C) An impersonal force
D) A material substance only
Correct Answer: A Transcendent Cause
Rationale: If successful, the Cosmological Argument suggests the existence of a
Transcendent Cause—a being beyond the material universe that is responsible for its
origin. This conclusion is consistent with classical theism, which holds that God is the
uncaused first cause of all that exists.
4. According to William Lane Craig, the expansion of the universe provides evidence for:
A) The eternality of the universe
B) The universe having a beginning
C) The universe being an illusion
D) The universe being self-caused
Correct Answer: The universe having a beginning
Rationale: William Lane Craig argues that the expansion of the universe supports the
Kalam Cosmological Argument by providing evidence that the universe had a beginning. An
expanding universe is consistent with the idea that the universe began to exist at a finite
point in the past, contrary to the idea of an eternal universe.
, 5. Which philosopher argued that the teleological argument was unsuccessful in showing
that the Christian God exists?
A) Thomas Aquinas
B) William Lane Craig
C) David Hume
D) Alvin Plantinga
Correct Answer: David Hume
Rationale: David Hume thought the teleological argument was unsuccessful in showing
that the Christian God exists. Hume's critique of the argument from design is a classic
objection to natural theology, arguing that the evidence of apparent design does not
necessarily point to the God of classical theism.
6. What does the fine-tuning argument attempt to demonstrate?
A) That the universe has no purpose or design
B) That the physical constants of the universe are finely tuned to permit life and suggest a
designer
C) That the universe is eternal and uncaused
D) That morality is independent of God
Correct Answer: That the physical constants of the universe are finely tuned to permit
life and suggest a designer
Rationale: The fine-tuning argument is a teleological argument that begins with the
observation that life is possible in our universe only because the constants found in
physical laws have values that fall in very narrow ranges. It concludes that this fine-tuning
is best explained by an intelligent designer.
