Arguments For The Existence Of God: Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument

Question 1

Who did Aquinas adapt this argument from?

Answer 1

Aristotle

Question 2

What is the nature of the argument?

Answer 2

• a posteriori
• inductive
• based on natural theology

Question 3

What does it infer God’s existence from?

Answer 3

Claims about the entire universe, because it needs a cause/explanation.

Question 4

Because of what belief Aquinas’ held led him to conclude there must have been a first cause?

Answer 4

He believed infinite regress was impossible.

Question 5

What are the three versions of this argument did Aquinas present in his work. Summa Theologica?

Answer 5

1st way - argument from motion/change.
2nd way - argument from causation.
3rd way - argument from contingency and necessity.

Question 6

What is the first way?

Answer 6

Argument from motion - the unmoved mover.

• Whatever is in motion, but has been moved by something else.
• Infinite regress is impossible

Question 7

What is the second way?

Answer 7

Argument from causation - the uncaused causer.

• Cause & effect, every effect has a cause.
• Infinite regress is impossible.

Question 8

What is the third way?

Answer 8

argument from contingency & necessity

• Everything is contingent & finite.
• If everything can or cannot be, there must’ve been a time with nothing.
• Something only exists from causation.
• Something can’t come from nothing, there has to be a cause.
• This must be a necessary being, not limited by time.

Question 9

What is the distinction between necessary and contingent beings?

Answer 9

Necessary beings are ones that are self-sufficient for its own existence, it has no beginning or end.

Contingent beings depend on something, it is possible for them to not exist.

Question 10

Infinite regress is impossible so…

“We are therefore…”
Aquinas, Summa Theologica

Answer 10

“We are therefore bound to suppose something necessary in itself.”
Aquinas, Summa Theologica