I. The Main Argument
1. We (even Fools) understand the meaning of the word God to be
“a being than which nothing greater can be conceived”. (Premise)
2. What we understand exists at least in our understanding (mind, intellect). (Premise)
Ex: The painter’s picture, before it is painted.
3. Hence, a being than which no greater can be conceived exists at least in our
understanding. (from 1 and 2)
4. To exist in reality is greater than to exist only in the understanding. (Premise)
5. Hence, a being having all of God’s properties plus (if God lacks it) real
existence is greater than a being that exists only in the understanding. (from 4)
6. If the being than which no greater can be conceived existed only in the
understanding, we could conceive of a greater being (one that also had real
existence outside the understanding). (from 5)
7. But it is false that a being greater than God can be conceived. (by definition)
8. Hence, this being has real existence. (from 6 and 7)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Phil of Rel - Aquinas 1,4, and 5
The First Way: Argument from Motion
1. Our senses prove that some things are in motion.
2. Things move when potential motion becomes actual motion.
3. Only an actual motion can convert a potential motion into an actual motion.
4. Nothing can be at once in both actuality and potentiality in the same respect (i.e., if both actual and potential, it is actual in one respect and potential in another).
5. Therefore nothing can move itself.
6. Therefore each thing in motion is moved by something else.
7. The sequence of motion cannot extend ad infinitum.
8. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
The Fourth Way: Argument from Gradation of Being
1. There is a gradation to be found in things: some are better or worse than others.
2. Predications of degree require reference to the “uttermost” case (e.g., a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest).
3. The maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus.
4. Therefore 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 Fifth Way: Argument from Design
1. We see that natural bodies work toward some goal, and do not do so by chance.
2. Most natural things lack knowledge.
3. But as an arrow reaches its target because it is directed by an archer, what lacks intelligence achieves goals by being directed by something intelligence.
4. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.
1. Our senses prove that some things are in motion.
2. Things move when potential motion becomes actual motion.
3. Only an actual motion can convert a potential motion into an actual motion.
4. Nothing can be at once in both actuality and potentiality in the same respect (i.e., if both actual and potential, it is actual in one respect and potential in another).
5. Therefore nothing can move itself.
6. Therefore each thing in motion is moved by something else.
7. The sequence of motion cannot extend ad infinitum.
8. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
The Fourth Way: Argument from Gradation of Being
1. There is a gradation to be found in things: some are better or worse than others.
2. Predications of degree require reference to the “uttermost” case (e.g., a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest).
3. The maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus.
4. Therefore 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 Fifth Way: Argument from Design
1. We see that natural bodies work toward some goal, and do not do so by chance.
2. Most natural things lack knowledge.
3. But as an arrow reaches its target because it is directed by an archer, what lacks intelligence achieves goals by being directed by something intelligence.
4. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Welcome back!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This is the place for information for classes in this department and IOCC 201.
Have a great semester.
Dr. Berg
This is the place for information for classes in this department and IOCC 201.
Have a great semester.
Dr. Berg
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