more from David Hume

Single Idea 1435

[catalogued under 28. God / B. Proving God / 3. Proofs of Evidence / a. Cosmological Proof]

Full Idea

What was it that determined something to exist rather than nothing? ...This implies a necessary being… But why may not the material universe be the necessarily existent being?

Gist of Idea

If something must be necessary so that something exists rather than nothing, why can't the universe be necessary?

Source

David Hume (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion [1751], Part 9)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.95


A Reaction

There certainly seems no need for whatever the necessary thing is that it qualify as a 'god'. If could be a necessary subatomic particle that suddenly triggers reactions.