Next, a character named Demea prefers a priori
arguments for God's existence, particularly Leibniz's
cosmological argument:
(a) The world contains an infinite sequence of contingent
facts;
(b) An explanation is needed as to the origin of this whole
infinite series, which goes beyond an explanation of each
member in the series;
(c) The explanation of this whole series cannot reside in
the series itself, since the very fact of its existence
would still need an explanation (principle of sufficient
reason)
(d) Therefore, there is a necessary substance which produced
this infinite series, and which is the complete explanation
of its own existence as well.
Earlier defenders of cosmological-type arguments, such as
Aquinas, argued that an infinite series of causes of the universe
is impossible. Thus, a first divine cause is required to start
this series of individual causes. However, Demea (and Leibniz)
assume that an infinite series of causes of the universe is
possible. Even so, Demea argues, we still need an explanation of
the entire collection of finite causes, which must be found
outside of the infinite collection of individual causes.
Finally, a character named Philo is a skeptic who argues
against both a posteriori and a priori proofs. Philo offers a
stream of criticisms against the design argument, many of which
are now standard in discussions of the issue.
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