Aquinas Arguments for the Existence of God Essay

Aquinas Arguments for the Existence of God In Summa Theologica, Question 2, Article 3, Aquinas attempts to prove the existence of God. He begins with two objections, which will not be addressed here, and continues on to state five arguments for the existence of God. I intend to show that Aquinas first three arguments are unsound from a scientific standpoint, through support of the Big Bang theory of the creation of the universe. In the first and second arguments Aquinas begins by stating that some things change and that the changes to these things are caused by things other than themselves. He says that a thing can change only if it has a potentiality for being that into what it changes.†¦show more content†¦It is in the last premise that I encounter problems. According to the most prevalent Big Bang theory, the universe began from a singularity. Singularity is a point of zero space and infinite mass, density, and curvature. Because of these extraordinary circumstances within the singularity there is no time and all of the laws of physics as we know them cease to exist. Because this strange situation is exempt from the normal laws that govern the universe it is possible for this singularity to have exploded without cause. There is no time at the instant of singularity and all time and space began the instant after the explosion of the singularity, aptly named the Big Bang. This is the beginning o f the universe and the event that caused it is exempt from the normal laws that now cause the universe to function in the way it does. This exemption can explain away the beginning of Aquinas chain of events and changes, thus eliminating the necessity of a God. The argument that God caused the singularity and the Big Bang can also be explained away, although in somewhat more complicated terms. In the first second after the Big Bang nearly all of the laws of the universe, as well as the combinations and forms of matter were already formed and well on their way away from the center of the explosion. There are an infinite number of way that the particles inside the singularity couldShow MoreRelatedComparing Aquinas And Descartes Arguments For The Existence Of God766 Words   |  4 PagesAquinas and Descartes both have arguments for the existence of God, with some similarities and a multitude of differences. Descartes presents two major premises in his argument with his degrees of reality principle and his casual adequacy principle. It is possible for Descartes to be influenced by Aquinas, but the arguments for the same thing differ greatly that even if any inspiration Descartes could have pulled from Aquinas work is minimal, to say the lea st. Comparing Aquinas and Descartes theyRead MoreSir Thomas Aquinas And William Paley s Argument On The Existence Of God1176 Words   |  5 PagesThomas Aquinas and William Paley present two arguments for the existence of God. Aquinas defines God as omnibenevolent (all good) for his argument, and he continues in â€Å"The Five Ways† to present arguments to prove God’s existence (Rosen et al. 11). Paley, on the other hand, primarily defines God as a designer worthy of our admiration for his work (Rosen et al. 27). During class discussion, defining God involved three major qualities: omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. Both Aquinas and PaleyRead MoreAquinas’ has five proofs for Gods existence. His first proof is an argument from motion. Nothing600 Words   |  3 PagesAquinas’ has five proofs for Gods existence. His first proof is an argument from motion. Nothing can move itself unless it was placed into motion. His second proof is an argument from efficient causes. We experience a series of efficient causes of things. I didn’t exist to my prior existence. Nothing before exists. Nothing can be caused by itself. The third proof is the argument from possibility and necessity. We find natural things that are possible to be and not to be. Things come in and out ofRead MoreExplain the Strengths and Weaknesses of Aquinas Cosmological Argument1203 Words   |  5 Pagesthe strengths and weaknesses of Aquinas’ cosmological arguments. The cosmological argument is an a posteriori argument based on the question of the relation of the universe’s existence and God’s existence. This argument focuses on the theory that if the universe exists then something must have caused it to existence, ie. A God or Creator. Supporters of this argument claim that to fully comprehend the existence of the universe, one must rely on a theory of a God however critics would say that dueRead More Existence of God Essay1571 Words   |  7 PagesIn the â€Å"Suma Theologica,† by Saint Thomas Aquinas, Aquinas combines the doctrines of Christianity with Aristotelian philosophy, through the assertion that as a result of observation, utilization of the senses, and an empirical mindset, one can substantiate the existence of God. Aquinas holds the conception that in the quest for God’s existence, philosophy and theology are interwoven together and both play complementary roles. He infuses numerous theological doctrine s, mainly from Saint AugustineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Five Ways By Thomas Aquinas1298 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Aquinas wrote, â€Å"The Five Ways† from Summa Theologica and is said to be the greatest theologian. In this reading, Aquinas gives his five arguments in regard to Gods existence and shows how philosophy and religion intertwine with one another. The Argument from change, causation, contingency, degrees of excellence, and harmony are all are Aquinas reasonings towards the proof of Gods existence. Aquinas first argument for God’s existence comes from the argument of change or motion. In this argumentRead MoreThe Existence Of God s Existence1339 Words   |  6 Pagesidea of God. The existence of God is one of the most sought out topic that is frequently inquired. Is there really a God or is God merely a concept humans created to explain the unexplainable? And if God does exist, what makes him different from the rest of us? A well-known philosopher, St. Thomas Aquinas, introduced five proofs including the Cosmological Arguments of God’s existence, as well as explained some divine qualities that are associated with God. The nature of God’s existence is oftenRead MoreThe Five Ways Of The Existence Of God1557 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Aquinas (1225-1274). We cannot prove that God exists, merely by considering the word God, for that strategy work, we would have to presume to know God s essence. According to Aquinas, the existence of God can be proved. This paper will discuss what each of the five ways are that Thomas Aquinas introduced to show the existence of God. The Argument from Change: To begin with, one way to prove that God exists is to contemplate the fact that natural things are in motion. According to Aquinas, a firstRead MoreThe Existence Of Saint Thomas Aquinas And Ren?ï ¿ ½ Descartes1460 Words   |  6 PagesGod’s existence has long been a topic of controversy, one that spans the course of many centuries and––because of its nature––will never be resolved. Two notable philosophers have attempted to prove God’s existence: Saint Thomas Aquinas and Renà © Descartes. Despite having been influenced by the former, Descartes’ arguments––while similar to Aquinas’––are reached through noticeably different methods. To analyze Aquinas’ proof for God’s existence, it is important to first analyze his definition ofRead MoreAn Examination Into The Respective Proofs Of St. Aquinas1288 Words   |  6 PagesAnselm and St. Aquinas During the Medieval Period, philosophers shifted their focus primarily to proving the existence of God, as well as other religious tenets. Two Saints of the Catholic Church, St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas, developed their own respective proofs for the existence of God. These proofs have gained fame over the subsequent centuries and still face debate and comparison today. Although both St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas offer proofs for the existence of God, the proofs differ