FUNDAMENTALITY AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

SIJUWADE, JOSHUA R.

doi:10.1590/0100-6045.2021.V44N4.JS

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Article • Manuscrito 44 (4) • Oct-Dec 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-6045.2021.V44N4.JS copy

FUNDAMENTALITY AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

In this article, I seek to assess the extent to which Theism, the claim that there is a God, can provide a true fundamental explanation for the existence of certain entities within the layered structure of reality. More precisely, I assume the cogency of Swinburne’s explanatory framework and seek to resituate it within a new philosophical context-that of the field of contemporary metaphysics-which will enable me to develop a true fundamental explanation for the existence of the non-fundamental entities that fill up the various levels of the layered structure of reality. And thus, given the truth of this type of explanation, we will have one more good reason to believe in the existence of God.

Keywords:
Fundamentality; Grounding; Metaphysical Explanation; God

Fundamentality (Grounding) Principles	Independent_G (Ungrounded)	Complete_G (Ground)
Directed	This entity does not rank below any other entity in the hierarchical structure of reality.	This entity is part of a set that ranks higher than any other entity in the hierarchical structure of reality within the specific world in which this set exists.
Necessitating	The existence of another entity does not necessitate the existence of this entity.	This entity is part of a set that necessitates the existence of every other entity within the specific world in which this set exists.
Generative	This entity’s existence and intrinsic nature are not fixed by the existence and intrinsic nature of any other entity.	This entity is part of a set whose existence fixes the existence and intrinsic nature of every other entity within the specific world in which this set exists.
Explanatory	This entity’s existence, at a specific time, is not explained by the existence of any other entity.	This entity is part of a set that, at a specific time, explains the existence of all other entities within the specific world in which this set exists.
Causal	This entity is not a grounded effect of any other entity and thus is not the output of a Structural Equation Model.	This entity is part of a set that is the metaphysical cause of other entities, which are grounded effects, and thus is the input of a Structural Equation Model within the specific world in which this set exists.

Fundamentality (Grounding) Principles	Independent_G (Ungrounded)	Complete_G (Ground)
Directed	God does not rank below any other entity in the hierarchical structure of reality.	God ranks higher than any other entity in the hierarchical structure of reality within the specific world in which he exists.
Necessitating	The existence of any other entity does not necessitate the existence of God.	God’s existence necessitates the existence of every other entity within the specific world in which he exists.
Generative	God’s existence and intrinsic nature are not fixed by the existence and intrinsic nature of any other entity.	God’s existence and intrinsic nature fixes the existence and intrinsic nature of every other entity within the specific world in which he exists.
Explanatory	God’s existence, at a specific time, is not explained by the existence of any other entity.	God’s existence, at a specific time, explains the existence of all other entities within the specific world in which he exists.
Causal	God is not a grounded effect of any other entity and thus is not the output of a Structural Equation Model.	God is the metaphysical cause of all other entities that are grounded effects, and thus is the input of a Structural Equation Model within the specific world in which he exists.

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(21)	(More Fundamental Than) x is more fundamental than y = _df either	(i)	fewer grounding steps from an ungrounded entity than y is, or
		(ii)	x at least partially grounds y, or
		(iii)	x stands in the ancestral of a grounding relation to y, or
		(iv)	x is ungrounded and y is not, or
		(v)	x belongs to some kind K and y belongs to some kind K* such that (a) neither K nor K* includes both grounded and ungrounded members, and (b) y does not belong to K and x does not belong to K, and (c) members of K typically or normally ground members of K.