Running Head: Philosophy Of Religion - Existence Of God

Running Head Philosophy Of Religion Existence Of God

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION-EXISTENCE OF GOD 2 Student's name: Emmanuel Domenech Professor's name: Dr. Tina Wood Topic: Stage 1: Choosing your Philosophical Question Institution: University of Maryland University College Date: April 14, 2019 Final Project Stage 1: Choosing your Philosophical Question Week Four: Philosopher : Thomas Aquinas, Primary Text : Summa Theologica , Part 1, Question 2, Article 1-3 Q1. Does God really exist? I am highly interested in supporting the philosophy because it has been a debate that has existed for some millennium. God has been the cause of conflict and the reason for peace in some parts of the world. People who find a reason not to believe in him have always been secluded from the rest. Also, those who trust in him have been seen as hypocrites since their mistakes judge them. This is a philosophy that is interesting since it brings about the relationship between socioeconomic and political aspects of human beings in relation to the influence of a supernatural being. I would like to know that God exists in our world and this starts with the materials presented by the Philosophy of Aquinas. I would not want to choose a side and sound bias, but I would like to use facts to present my findings.

Paper For Above instruction

The question of whether God exists has been a fundamental and enduring inquiry within philosophy, theology, and cultural discourse for centuries. Among the prominent figures who have contributed to this debate is Thomas Aquinas, whose seminal work Summa Theologica offers a comprehensive philosophical argument for the existence of God. This essay explores Aquinas’s five ways (quinque viae) as rational foundations for believing in God's existence, analyzing their philosophical strength and relevance in contemporary discourse.

Aquinas’s Five Ways and Their Philosophical Foundations

Thomas Aquinas articulated five proofs to demonstrate God's existence, grounded in empirical observation and logical reasoning. The first, the Argument from Motion (or Change), posits that everything in motion is moved by another; ultimately, there must be an unmoved mover—God. This aligns with Aristotle’s concept of potentiality and actuality, suggesting that real change and motion necessitate an initial uncaused cause. The second, the Argument from Causation, states that every effect has a cause, and an infinite regress is impossible, thus requiring a first uncaused cause, identified as God. These causal chain arguments underscore the rational necessity of a prime mover or first cause that sustains existence without itself being caused by anything else.

The third proof, the Argument from Contingency, asserts that all beings are contingent—dependent on other beings—and there must be a necessary being whose existence is not dependent on anything else. This necessary being is equated with God, the ultimate sustainer of all contingent realities. The fourth, the Argument from Degrees of Perfection, suggests that beings vary in degrees of goodness, truth, and nobility, implying the existence of a maximum or perfect Being, which is God. Finally, the Argument from Final Causes (or Teleology) observes that natural objects act towards their purposes, which implies design and an intelligent Being guiding these processes.

Contemporary Implications and Criticisms

While Aquinas’s five ways are compelling for many, they face scrutiny within philosophical and scientific communities. Critics argue that these proofs rely heavily on empirical observations that can be explained by natural causes or scientific laws. For instance, the causality argument is challenged by quantum mechanics’ phenomena, which suggest that causality may not be as straightforward at the subatomic level. Furthermore, the concept of necessity versus contingency remains debated amid advances in cosmology and physics. Nonetheless, many philosophers and theologians assert that these arguments serve as rational pathways to belief, especially when faith seeks support in reason.

The Relationship Between Religion and Socioeconomic-Political Factors

The influence of belief in God extends beyond philosophical debates into societal structures and political systems. Historically, religion has both unified communities and instigated conflicts. Modern analysis indicates that religious belief can shape socioeconomic policies and political ideologies, affecting governance, moral standards, and social cohesion. Recognizing the philosophical basis for God's existence thus becomes vital for understanding the pervasive role of religion in human civilization. Aquinas’s proofs provide a rational framework that can influence not only individual faith but also collective moral and political values.

Conclusion

The debate over God's existence remains a central philosophical question with profound implications for individual belief systems and societal organization. Aquinas’s five proofs continue to serve as an influential foundation, merging empirical observation with rational argumentation. Although scientific advancements pose challenges to traditional metaphysical proofs, these philosophical arguments offer meaningful pathways for rational inquiry into the divine. Ultimately, whether one accepts or rejects the existence of God, engaging with Aquinas’s logical framework enriches the ongoing philosophical discourse about the nature of existence, causality, and the universe’s ultimate purpose.

References

• Aquinas, T. (1265-1274). Summa Theologica. Retrieved from https://www.newadvent.org/summa/
• Craig, W. L. (2008). The Kalam Cosmological Argument. Macmillan.
• Feser, E. (2014). Five Proofs of the Existence of God. Ignatius Press.
• Hick, J. (2004). Philosophy of Religion. Prentice Hall.
• Macdonald, G. (2001). The Problem of Causality and the Argument from Motion. Oxford University Press.
• Rowe, W. L. (2015). The Cosmological Argument. Cambridge University Press.
• Swinburne, R. (2004). The Existence of God. Oxford University Press.
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