St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the First Mover according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

God started the motion (correct)

A physical object in motion

The first human created

A philosophical concept

What does the 2nd Proof, causality, suggest about existence?

There must be an Ultimate or First Cause.

What does the 3rd Proof, contingency, state about humans?

Humans cannot exist without a Necessary Being (correct)

Humans are the ultimate creators

Humans are self-created

Humans exist without any cause

According to the 4th Proof, who sets the standards for wisdom and truth?

<p>God</p> Signup and view all the answers

There is order to all of creation, which implies the existence of an ______.

<p>intelligent designer</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God

First Proof: First Mover
- Motion exists in the universe and requires an initial source.
- God is identified as the First Mover that initiated all motion.
- Analogy: Newton's Cradle illustrates transfer of motion.
Second Proof: Causality
- Every effect in the universe stems from a cause.
- An Ultimate or First Cause is necessary to avoid an infinite regression of causes.
- God serves as this First Cause.
- Example: Barn Raising emphasizes interdependence of causes.
Third Proof: Contingency
- Contingent beings exist but cannot come into existence without a Necessary Being.
- The Necessary Being that creates all contingent beings is identified as God.
Fourth Proof: Perfection
- Humans recognize varying degrees of perfection in the world.
- The existence of an All-Perfect being, God, provides a standard of perfection.
- Example: Differentiating levels of excellence in soccer illustrates this concept.
Fifth Proof: Intelligent Being
- The complexity and order in the universe indicate deliberate design.
- An intelligent designer, identified as God, is necessary to explain this order.

Description

Explore the foundational arguments presented by St. Thomas Aquinas for the existence of God through these flashcards. Each proof, from the First Mover to Contingency, illustrates unique philosophical concepts that seek to explain divine causality. Perfect for students wanting to delve into theology and philosophy.