Aquinas Analogical Argument

Question 1

What language may be used to describe God according to TA?

Answer 1

1) Univocal
2) Equivocal
3) Analogy

Question 2

Define univocal language

Answer 2

This language means the exact same thing each time like LOVE. This is insufficient in depicting God as the relationship is incomparable.

Question 3

Define Equivocal language

Answer 3

Holds different meaning and interpretation in use. There is a risk of distorting the image of God with this interpretation.

Question 4

What is the analogy of ATTRIBUTION?

Answer 4

1) God is completely different from the universe
2) BUT there is still causal relationship
3) As God is CREATOR
4) Thus analogy can give reference to God’s essence

Healthy body = Healthy piss
Good God = Good people

We won’t fully understand the essence of God here but it avoids limiting God and provides some degree of information.

Question 5

What is analogy of PROPORTIONALITY

Answer 5

About how attributes of God are incomparable to ours and thus need to be ‘scaled up’ to gain some meaningful understanding. Was developed by Hick.

Faithfulness:
Dog < Man < God

Question 6

STRENGTHS

Answer 6

• Avoids any issue of limiting God as it is not claiming to be literal just giving greater understanding
• Uses ordinary human experiences as point of evidence so it is cognitive in allowing God to be meaningful

Question 7

WEAKNESSES

Answer 7

+ Hinged on pre-determined views on God. To understand proportionality we need to have some actual knowledge of God to compare TO which we do not
- Problem of evil is inconsistent with this thesis