Parfit—Swinburne: Why does the Universe exist? (Pre Read)

If reality were randomly selected, it would not be mysterious how the selection is made. It would be in one sense inexplicable why the Universe is as it is. But this would be no more puzzling than the random movement of a particle. If a particle can simply happen to move as it does, it could simply happen that reality is as it is. Randomness may even be less puzzling at the level of the whole Universe, since we know that facts at this level could not have been caused. (Parfit)

Of course God is supposed to be very different indeed in the extent of his power, knowledge and freedom from other substances with which we are familiar. But they are also different from each other in these respects. And God is not supposed to be totally different from humans. But to postulate axiomatic or similar principles bringing something out of nothing is to postulate a totally different kind of explanation which we have no reason at all to suppose ever to operate. (Swinburne)

Read both extracts on p. 422 (on the pagination of the PDF) of the PDF of Inwagen's and Zimmerman's Anthology.
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This group examines the history of Metaphysics by looking primarily at European thinkers in chronological order. Great effort is made to include lesser known thinkers whose thought has historical significance. We will occasionally examine non-European metaphysics too to provide context and comparison.

The organizer is not an expert on Metaphysics but has a long experience in organizing similar meetings. He also has an Oxford PhD in European History as well as a Cambridge MPhil on the same discipline. He currently teaches foreign languages.

Our meeting time is: Tuesday 2 pm(Los Angeles)/5 pm (New York)/10 pm (London).

Other meetings in the History of Metaphysics series:

October 4, Fichte
October 11, Hegel
October 17, Schopenhauer
November 1, Aztec Metaphysics