First cause

An ultimate cause that does not itself depend on another cause; Christians identify this with God.

The ultimate source of causal activity, which does not itself depend on another cause. Catholics identify this uncaused cause as God.

Aquinas therefore rejects an endless chain of dependent causes as a complete explanation. He concludes that there must be a first cause which does not receive its causal power from another. Catholics identify this uncaused cause as God.

An ultimate cause that does not depend on another cause for its existence or activity.

Avoid saying ‘everything has a cause’. Aquinas argues for an uncaused first cause, so explain which things require a cause and why God is understood differently.

Explain the reasoning from dependent things to a first cause; merely saying ‘God created the universe’ states a belief rather than an argument.

When evaluating, address both whether a first cause is needed and whether that cause must be the Christian God. Give reasons for your conclusion.

The ultimate cause of the universe, understood by supporters of the cosmological argument as not itself caused by something else.

The ultimate cause which does not receive its causal power or existence from another cause; Aquinas identifies it with God.

His conclusion is an uncaused first cause, which he calls God. Here, ‘first’ means the ultimate foundation of the causal chain, not simply one more ordinary event within it.

The ultimate cause of everything else, which does not itself depend on an earlier cause.

The ultimate cause of the universe, which does not itself depend on an earlier cause; identified as God by supporters of the cosmological argument.

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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A · 1RA0

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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B · 1RB0