29 pages • 58 minutes read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
An argument that originated in Greek philosophy and was adopted by Christian theologians, First Cause states that everything is caused by something, and if traced back far enough, God was the first thing to cause the existence of another thing. However, asking who or what caused God to come into being brings that theory into question. Some would answer that God is self-caused, but to Russell, this argument is inherently flawed and easy to disprove.
The Latin term for “let it be done,” fiat originally stems from Mary consenting to carry God’s child. In addition, it signifies Jesus’s obedience to God. In the context of “Why I Am Not a Christian,” it refers to God’s will. If one were to say that someone rules by fiat, this might not be considered a compliment but rather a comment on how controlling, demanding, or even tyrannical one’s rule might be. It’s hard to ignore that definition in the context of Russell’s lecture. However, he’s directly referencing God’s fiat as God’s will—that is, what God wishes to be done shall be done.
Plus, gain access to 8,600+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
By Bertrand Russell
Community
View Collection
Essays & Speeches
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Good & Evil
View Collection
Nobel Laureates in Literature
View Collection
Philosophy, Logic, & Ethics
View Collection
Religion & Spirituality
View Collection
Science & Nature
View Collection
The Future
View Collection
The Past
View Collection