Argument against universal causality

Last updated: 05/24/25

These are in progress and subject to revision. Feedback welcomed.
The subpoints provide further clarifying thoughts or definitions.

Presuppositions

1. Self-contradictions cannot take place or be true.

2. All real existents (including aggregates of existents) that are causable are caused, although I make such an argument (linked here Steps #1-11).

Premises

1. Assume all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are caused, including the whole of existence.

   1. “Existent” refers to an entity, being, or thing that has actual presence in reality. It would not include abstract objects.

   2. “Cause” refers specifically to an efficient cause, which is whatever makes something exist or produces an effect. Saying x is caused by y means y accounts for x’s origin. A cause isn’t necessarily deterministic in the sense that it produces only a single effect. Some but not all causes are deterministic in the sense that they are both ontologically prior and logically sufficient to produce only one given effect.

   3. The “whole of existence” refers to everything, collectively considered, that exists, has existed or will ever exist.

2. If true, then a cause exists of the whole of existence.

3. A cause exists distinct or apart of its effects.

   1. Causes are not identical with their effects. If a cause and its effect were identical, the concept of causation would lose its meaning, as a thing cannot bring itself into existence or cause its own change in the same respect at the same time. The relationship between a cause and its effect is asymmetrical. A cause produces or brings about an effect. The effect is the result produced by the cause. A cause also precedes its effect, at least explanatorily.

4. Therefore, assuming all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are caused, then a cause exists distinct or apart of the whole of existence. (Definitional Substitution on #1-3)

5. A thing or quantifier distinct or apart of the whole of existence doesn't exist.

   1. The “whole of existence” refers to the set of everything that is real. For something to be “apart” from this whole is to say it is not in the set of things that are real, which is a definitional contradiction.

6. Therefore, assuming all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are caused, then a cause exists and doesn't exist of the whole of existence, which is a self-contradiction. (Definitional Substitution on #4-5)

7. Therefore, the assumption that all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are caused is false. (Reductio ad Absurdum on #2 & #6)

8. Therefore, not all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are caused. (Double negation elimination on #7)

9. If a real existent (including aggregates of existents) is causable, then it is caused.

   1. Presupposition #2.

10. Therefore, not all real existents (including aggregates of existents) are causable, which entails that at least one real existent or quantifier is not caused. (Modus Tollens #8-9)

11. Each member of an aggregate, sequence or chain of causable real existents is causable by a real existent external to the original aggregate, sequence or chain.

12. If true, then the original aggregate, sequence or chain is causable by a prime aggregate, sequence or chain of the original aggregate.

13. If true, then all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable existents are causable.

14. Therefore, all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable existents are causable. (Hypothetical Syllogism #11-13)

15. Therefore, all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable real existents are caused. (Modus Ponens #9 & #14)

16. If true, then the aggregate, sequence or chain of all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable existents is caused.

    1. Let C denote “the aggregate, sequence or chain of all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable real existents.”

17. If a quantifier is caused, then it is distinct from its cause or causes.

18. Therefore, C is distinct from its cause or causes. (Hypothetical Syllogism #15-17)

19. If true, then the cause or causes of C cannot be a part of C.

20. If true, then the cause or causes of C is uncaused.

    1. Since the cause cannot be a member of C, then that only leave an uncaused existent.

21. Therefore, the cause or causes of C is uncaused. (Hypothetical Syllogism #18-20)

22. If, then C is caused by at least one uncaused real existent.

23. If true, then all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable existents are caused.

24. Therefore, all aggregates, sequences or chains of causable existents are caused. (Hypothetical Syllogism #21-23)