intro to St Thomas Aquinas

Question 1

what was Aquinas’ main work called?

Answer 1

summa theologica

Question 2

what two different routes did Aquinas say we could use to understand God?

Answer 2

revelation
human reasoning

Question 3

explain way 1:
(3 premises and conc.)

Answer 3

p1- objects are in motion
p2- everything in motion was put in motion by something else
p3- there can’t be an infinite regress of movers
conc.- there must be a first unmoved mover which is God

Question 4

explain way 2:
(3 premises and conc.)

Answer 4

p1- everything which exists has a cause
p2- anything that’s caused has to be caused by something else
p3- there can’t be an infinite regress of causers
conc.- there must be a first uncaused causer which is God

Question 5

what does ex nihilo nihil fit mean?

Answer 5

out of nothing nothing can come

Question 6

explain way 3:
(3 premises and conc.)

Answer 6

p1- there are contingent things
p2- contingent things can cause other contingent things but this can’t extend back forever
p3- infinite regress is impossible
conc. - there must be at least one necessary thing which we call God