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... ina's talks about first, leads to his analysis of sense objects, second, the notion that the existence of these objects requires a finite series of causes and ultimately a First Cause, or God. Aquinas first proof was the proof from motion. This covers the area where Aquinas believes that nothing can be transformed from a state of potentiality by something that is also in a mere state of potentiality. An example would be the domino. Picture a particular domino, it has the potential to be moved but it can only move by something actually moving.
This example is where Aquinas draws his conclusion. The key point that makes this proof so valid is the concept that if we are to account for motion, we cannot do so by going back in an infinite regress. If we must say about each mover in this series, is that it in turn was moved by a prior mover, we would never discover the source of motion, because every mover would then be only potentially in motion. Even if such a series went back infinitely, each one would still be only potential, and from that no actual motion could ever emerge.
The fact is, however, that there is motion. There must therefore be a mover which is able to move things but which does not itself have to be moved, and this, says Aquinas, everyone understands to be God. Aquinas makes two good points in this proof. One, he does not limit his concept of motion to things such as dominoes, that is, to locomotion. Two, he states clearly that the first mover is pure actuality.
Moving on to Aquinas second proof, Proof from Efficient Cause. The main point to this proof, short and simple is that nothing can be prior to itself: hence events demand a prior cause. An example would be parents have to have their own parents. Which sums up to mean that God is the first efficient cause and is to everyone.
Also that we would proceed to infinity among causes, since, as we have said, every being which is not the act of existing alone has a cause of existence. Evidently, then, an intelligence is form and act existing, and it has its act of existing from the First Being which is simply the act of existing. This is the First Cause, God The third proof of Aquinas is the Proof from Degrees of Perfection. This proof talks about humans and he concludes in this proof that there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection: and this we call God. The main point was that God is a supreme being and causes peoples perfection, goodness and is above all.
The fourth and Fifth proofs, the Proof from Necessary versus Possible Being and the Proof from the Order of the Universe both prove the existence of God but will not be discussed. The two major characteristics of these five proofs are (1) their foundation in sense experience and (2) their reliance on the notion of causality. These five ways of Aquinas are truly remarkable and are totally valid in almost every situation. Now that I have discussed all four philosophers and their arguments, I will next bring a small argument against the existence of God.
David Hume was a philosopher widely regarded as a notorious enemy of religion. Here is Humes argument in a small, but concise way: a. Only that which we experience on the sense level is true, ie we can only be certain of our on sensations. The argument for the existence of God is based on the principle of cause-effect. And since we cannot experience these principles of cause-effect, one must be skeptical of the argument since it has no foundation.
b. Evil in the world: If God exists and there is evil in the world then God INTENDS THE EVIL, GOD IS SADISTIC or MALEVOLENT; or if God exists and God doesnt do anything to prevent or stop evil, GOD IS EITHER INDIFFERENT OR INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING/STOPPING EVIL. I feel that even though Humes argument makes sense and is valid, the evidence that the other philosophers show overpowers his. I will accept other arguments against the existence of God. But until I hear arguments that make more sense than the evil of the world, I am going to stick with believing. In conclusion to all of the arguments mentioned, I feel that all were valid, believable, understandable and able for people to relate to.
Hopefully most of the questions that non-believers have were answered. The intent of this paper was to show in great detail, the existence of God. I think the four philosophers chosen, gave enough evidence for anyone to change their mind. I wanted to give both sides of the argument in the fairest matter. Yes, there was some bias in this paper because I do believe in God but I did try to show the weak parts of the arguments.
I also gave Humes argument, which by many makes complete sense and is their argument against the existence of God. Finally, the arguments for both sides make sense. There is no doubt about that. I will say that in doing the research and learning more about the topic, I have changed a little. I still believe in God but Kant really made in impact on me.
I think we all can believe in God but on a level that this Earths rules cannot prove. I am glad I got to look at this topic a little bit closer and in doing so, proved my point that God exists. Works Cited Bourke, Vernon J. The Pocket Aquinas. New York: Washington Press, 1960. Halsall, Paul.
Anselm on Gods Existence web (Jan 1996), 7 December 2000. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, web 6 December 2000. Stumpf, Samuel. Elements of Philosophy. 3 rd ed. New York: Vanderbilt University, 1993 William Paley. web 7 December 2000...
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