Presented by Zia H Shah MD

Metaphysical reasoning has long been used to explore fundamental questions about why anything exists and what the ultimate reality is. One recurring conclusion of such reasoning in the Abrahamic traditions is belief in God – a transcendent, necessary being. Philosophers and theologians across Christian, Muslim, and Jewish thought have crafted rigorous arguments that move from metaphysical principles to the existence of God. These include cosmological arguments (from the existence or origin of the universe), ontological arguments (from the idea or definition of God), teleological arguments (from the order or design in nature), and contingency arguments (from the existence of contingent beings requiring a necessary being). Each of these approaches uses reason to bridge from observable reality or logical principles to the conclusion that God exists. In what follows, we examine each major argument theme, explaining the core reasoning, highlighting quotations from prominent theist metaphysicians (e.g. Brian Leftow, Thomas Aquinas, al-Ghazāli), referencing scriptures from the Bible and Qur’an that resonate with the argument, and noting contributions of classical philosophers of the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions.

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