the unseen link the argument from dependency

Hamza Andreas Tzortzis, version 1.0 – September 2014

Summary

• Everything we perceive is dependent.

• You cannot have an infinite regress of causal

dependencies.

• Therefore, there must exist an independent eternal

cause.

Defining Dependent 1. Something is “dependent” if it is not necessary:

– It could have failed to exist or its building blocks could

have been arranged in a different way.

• Therefore, there must have been something that determined that

specific arrangement.

2. It requires an explanation for its existence.

3. It exists due to a reliance on something outside of itself.

4. It doesn’t exist of its own nature, not self sustaining.

5. Dependent things have limited physical qualities, e.g. colour,

shape, size.

Everything We Perceive is Dependent

Notes • Nothing that we can perceive can survive

independent of other things, there is nothing in our

perception that is self-subsistent.

• Everything we perceive depends on something else

for their existence.

• Everything we perceive has building blocks that

could have been arranged in another way. Therefore

they must have been determined.

• Everything dependent has limited physical qualities.

Possible Conclusions 1. All we perceive depends for its existence on

something else, which in turn depends on

still another thing, ad infinitum.

2. All we perceive exists eternally and is self-

subsisting (dependent on itself).

3. All we perceive derives its existence from

something else that exists by its own nature

and that is accordingly eternal and

independent.

Can’t Exist by Itself

• Doesn’t explain anything!

• If it has limited physical qualities and could

have been determined in another way, then

how can it be eternally existing, independent

of other things?!?

• If it is dependent on other things for its

existence then it cannot be eternal and exist

by its own accord.

Is this rock eternal? • Even if you didn’t not

see it begin or observe

the dependencies

directly…

• How do we explain it?

– Because it has a limited

physical quality: colour,

shape and size etc.

– And all things with

limited physical qualities

are dependent.

Causal dependencies

ad infinitum is impossible

Not to be confused with an infinite series of events.

You can apply this to anything…

Plastic Oil Marine plants

and animals

Necessarily Exists

• “As for the author’s words, ‘He is Eternal

without a beginning, Everlasting without an

end,’ they explain the meaning of the Divine

names, the First and the Last…Who

necessarily exists by Himself in order to

avoid an infinite regress.” Al-'aqidah At-Tahawiyyah. Commentary On The Creed of At-Tahawi. By Ibn Abi

Al 'Izz.

Therefore… • All we perceive derives its existence from

something else that exists by its own nature and

that is accordingly eternal and independent.

• This is best explained by Allah’s existence

– He is independent

– Everything depends on Him

– He sustains everything

– He is everlasting

– He is self-sufficient

“Allah is free/independent

from need of the worlds العلمين.” Qur’an 3:97

everything that exists = العلمين

The Universe Exists

Independently?

The universe is made up of matter which is

made up of quarks.

– It can be argued that a different collection of

quarks could have existed. Since a different

collection of quarks could have existed instead of

the collection that does exist, it follows that

universe dependent. Because the question follows

“what determined this arrangement and not

another one?”. It implies a determiner, and the

universe is therefore dependent on the determiner

to determine the arrangement of quarks.

A quark is an elementary

particle and a fundamental

constituent of matter. Quarks

combine to form composite

particles called hadrons, the

most stable of which

are protons and neutrons, the

components of atomic nuclei.

Some Atheists claim the universe is not dependent and it

exists independently. For instance he/she may argue that

matter or physical stuff is independent.

This arrangement of quarks is not necessary. It could have been

another arrangement. Something therefore determined that

arrangement. There is a determiner.

You cannot have an infinite series of determiners. Just like

you cannot have an infinite series of causes. One determiner

cannot gain its determining power from another ad infinitum.

The Universe is just a brute fact

• Contention: It doesn’t require anything to

depend on. It just is. It is necessary.

– Analogy: Consider the hovering golden ball

analogy…

– Undermines science: there is a field of science

dedicated in trying to explain the universe -

cosmology. Claiming the universe is just a brute

fact undermines science.

Science will eventually find an

answer!

• This is not a scientific question.

• Even if we were to posit a multiverse or some type

of scientific explanation, they will still be

dependent. Why?

– Because the building blocks of these explanations could

been arranged in a different way. Therefore, they are

dependent as there must have been a determiner that

determined one arrangement over another.

“Then he saw the sun rising and

cried, ‘This is my Lord! This is

greater.’ But when the sun set, he

said, ‘My people, I disown all that

you worship beside God. I have

turned my face as a true believer

towards Him who created the heaves

and the earth. I am not one of the

polytheists.’” Qur’an 6:75-79

What About Spiritual

Perspectives?

Reflect on this story…

“One day I set out to tend my fields, accompanied by my little dog, sworn enemy of the monkeys

which ravaged the plantations. It was the season of great heat. My dog and I were so hot that we could

scarcely breathe. I began to think that one or other of us would soon fall in a faint. Then, thank God, I

saw a Tiayki tree, the branches of which presented a vault of refreshing greenery. My dog gave little

cries of joy and turned towards this blessed shade.

When he had reached the shade, instead of staying where he was, he came back to me, his tongue out.

Seeing how his flanks were palpitating, I realised how completely exhausted he was. I walked towards

the shade. My dog was full of joy. Then, for a moment, I pretended to continue on my way. The poor

beast groaned plaintively, but followed me none the less, his tail between his legs. He was obviously in

despair, but determined to follow me, whatever might come of it. This fidelity moved me profoundly.

How could one fully appreciate the readiness of this animal to follow me, even to death, although he

was under no constraint to do so? He is devoted to me, I said to myself, because he regards me as his

master and so risks his life simply to stay beside me. 'Oh my Lord,' I cried, Heal my troubled soul!

Make my fidelity like that of this being whom I call, contemptuously, a dog. Give me, as You have

given to him, the strength to master my life so that I may accomplish Your will and follow—without

asking, Where am I going?—the path upon which You guide me! I am not the creator of this dog, yet

he follows me in docility, at the cost of a thousand sufferings. It is You, Lord, who has gifted him with

this virtue. Give, Oh Lord, to all who ask it of You—as I do—the virtue of Love and the courage of

Charity!' Then I retraced my steps and took refuge in the shade. Full of joy, my little companion lay

down facing me so that his eyes were turned to mine, as though he wished to speak seriously to

me.” By G. Eton

Questions?