Chapter 12: A Walk in The Park
As the group was walking, Nathan couldn't help but notice what appeared to be portals opening and closing. Sometimes one person, sometimes groups of people would enter or leave through them. He had so many questions, but before he could ask, Lily turned to them and asked, "What question did the Order of the Skeptics challenge you with?"
Nathan and Emily exchanged a glance before Emily replied, "It was about how the universe began to exist and therefore must have a cause."
"Oh, I see," Lily said, nodding knowingly. "The Kalam Cosmological Argument."
"The what now?" Nathan shot back, puzzled.
Lily smiled. "That's what it's called. The Kalam Cosmological Argument. It's an argument for the Cause. It's based on three premises: first, that everything that begins to exist has a cause; second, that the universe began to exist; and third, that therefore, the universe has a cause."
"Ohhh," Emily said, her face lighting up in recognition. "That makes sense. What challenge did you guys get?"
Lily shook her head. "We didn't arrive together, but for me, it was the Leibnizian Argument from Contingency."
"Ooh, what's that?" Nathan and Emily asked in unison.
"It's about why there is something rather than nothing," Lily explained. "It starts with the idea that everything that exists has an explanation of its existence, either in the necessity of its own nature or in something outside of it. Then it follows that if the universe exists, its explanation must be outside —a contingent existence."
Nathan frowned. "Wait, what's a contingent thing?"
Lily thought for a moment. "Think of it this way: a contingent thing is like a building. It doesn't have to exist, but it does because someone built it. It depends on something else for its existence. A necessary thing, on the other hand, is like what some would say, the rules of math. Two plus two equals four no matter what. It doesn't depend on anything else—it just is."
Lilly went on to say "Whilst I believe the existence of numbers is a useful fiction rather than existing necessarily, The Cause of The Creator, is a necessary being. The Creator can't not fail to exist.
"Oh, that helps," Nathan said, nodding slowly.
Emily clapped her hands together. "That was actually the first challenge the system gave us! But we didn't go that far with it."
Lily grinned. "I did. After laying out the argument for necessary versus contingent existence, I followed it up with the Ontological Argument."
"The what argument?" Nathan asked, tilting his head.
"The Ontological Argument," Lily repeated. "It goes like this: If it's possible for the Creator to exist, then the Creator must exist in some possible world. And if the Creator exists in some possible world, then the Creator must exist in all possible worlds, including the actual world—our world. So, the Creator exists."
Nathan smirked, a twinkle of mischief in his eye. "So by that same logic, the perfect pizza exists too!"
Mia rolled her eyes and retorted, "Oh please, pizza is a created thing. It's contingent, not necessary. And besides, there's no such thing as the perfect pizza—you can always add one more anchovy."
The group burst into laughter, the tension of discussion dissolving in the humor of the moment.
Just then, a soft chime resonated through their minds, and a translucent notification appeared before the pair:
System Notification: Library Unlocked! You have added the following to your library: The Kalam Cosmological Argument, The Ontological Argument, The Argument from Contingency. You have also successfully engaged with the Universal Application of Mathematics at the Tunnel of Trials. This has also been added to your library.
Emily and Nathan paused for a moment, taking in the new information, before continuing their journey.
Just then, they reached a massive structure that looked like a combination of a grand stadium and a towering cathedral. Its golden spires gleamed in the sunlight, and an enormous crowd bustled in and out of its many arched entrances.
"We're here," Zara said, gesturing dramatically. "The Guild."