first cause

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first cause

The philosopher argued that the universe must have a first cause.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The primary or ultimate source or origin of all things; an uncaused cause: In philosophy and theology, a "first cause" is an agent or principle that is the original cause of everything else in existence, but which itself is not caused by anything prior. It is often associated with concepts of a prime mover or a necessary being that initiates the chain of existence.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • In Aristotelian philosophy, the unmoved mover is considered the first cause of all motion in the universe.
    • Theologians often argue that God must be the first cause, the uncaused beginning of the causal chain.
    • The debate centered on whether the universe required a first cause or could be explained by an infinite regression.
Advanced Usage
  • "the first cause argument": Refers to the cosmological argument for the existence of God, which posits that everything that exists must have a cause, and that this chain must originate with an uncaused first cause.
    • The philosopher presented a version of the first cause argument to his students.
Variants and Related Words
  • Prime mover (n): A synonym often used in metaphysical contexts for the initial source of motion or existence.
  • Uncaused cause (n): A direct descriptive phrase for a first cause.
  • Necessary being (n): In philosophy, a being whose existence is not contingent on any other being, closely related to the concept of a first cause.
Synonyms
  • Prime mover
  • Uncaused cause
  • Original cause
  • Primary cause
Related Phrases
  • Argument from first cause: The philosophical or theological argument that uses the concept of a first cause as its foundation.
    • The lecture detailed the history of the argument from first cause.
Related Concepts
  • Cosmological argument: A broader class of argument for the existence of God, of which the first cause argument is a specific type.
  • Causal chain: The sequence of causes and effects, which the concept of a first cause seeks to originate.
first cause

The philosopher argued that the universe must have a first cause.

Noun
  1. an agent that is the cause of all things but does not itself have a cause
    • God is the first cause

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