The status of Aquinas' Cosmological Argument as 'Proof'

Question 1

The argument does offer proof

Answer 1

Paley’s argument is rationally and empirically based. His reasoning and appeal to observation provide strong support for theists.

Gerry Hughes - Cosmological Argument is a more satisfactory explanation than the universe being a ‘Brute Fact’. This also relates to Leibniz’s ‘Principle of Sufficient Reason’ (everything must have a sufficient reason).

The third way is one part of an inductive argument for the existence of God. Inductive arguments are valued for their use of observation to reach probabilistic conclusions.

Question 2

The argument does not offer proof

Answer 2

Only deductive arguments can give absolute proof. The Cosmological Argument is inductive so can never be absolutely certain.

The argument may be unable to convince atheists; instead, it can only offer reasoning to those who already believe in God.

Fideists would argue that belief in God is a matter of faith, rather than proof - you should believe in God through faith alone, rather than seeking to prove His existence.

Stephen Evans: This argument does not prove the God of Christian theism. At best, it points to a deist God.