The universe has a cause of its existence.

1. 01Define the thesis precisely

   completed

   Define the thesis precisely as the claim that the universe requires an external cause.

2. 02Identify assumptions and key terms

   completed

   Identify assumptions: contingency of the universe, applicability of PSR, impossibility of infinite regress.

3. 03Specify supporting and opposing evidence

   completed

   Specify supporting and opposing evidence targets from cosmological argument literature.

4. 04Gather primary and secondary sources

   completed

   Gather primary sources: SEP entry on cosmological argument and Wikipedia overview.

5. 05Extract claims and relevant evidence

   completed

   Extract claims about PSR, finite past, and causal framing from the passages.

6. 06Evaluate source reliability and verify claims

   inconclusive

   Evaluate source reliability: SEP is scholarly; Wikipedia provides general definition; both are secondary.

7. 07Construct the strongest supporting argument

   completed

   Construct the strongest supporting argument using a deductive structure based on PSR.

8. 08Construct the strongest opposing argument

   completed

   Construct the strongest opposing argument invoking quantum indeterminacy and brute fact.

9. 09Test logical structure and assumptions

   completed

   Test logical structure: validity hinges on contested premises (PSR, infinite regress).

10. 10Compare competing explanations

    completed

    Compare competing explanations: brute fact vs. quantum vacuum vs. transcendent cause.

11. 11Record unresolved issues

    completed

    Record unresolved issues: status of PSR, empirical data on universe’s origin, nature of infinity.

12. 12Produce the current assessment

    completed

    Produce the current assessment that the claim is contested.

Research runs

These are stored worker runs. A failed evidence gate is shown rather than hidden.