Critique on Whether God Exists

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Critique on Whether God Exists

Countless philosophers since the beginning of recorded history have pondered the question of whether God exists. One such philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas, put forth his own theory on the existence of God. In his text “Whether God Exists”, he stated that through his five arguments he could prove God’s existence. His five arguments are from motion, from first efficient cause, from possibility and necessity, from gradation, and from design.

Aquinas begins his text with two objections as to why God does not exist. The first states that God does not exist because the word “God” has the meaning of infinite goodness. Therefore, if God actually existed there would be no evil in this world. Because there is evil, God cannot exist. The second objection states that all natural things can be attributed to reasons other than God’s existence. The objection states that natural things are the result of human reason or will, without need for God’s existence.

Aquinas then goes on to explain his first argument, the argument from motion. In this he states that it is evident to everyone that certain things are in motion, and were put into motion by something. He defines motion to be “…the reduction of something from a state of potentiality into a state of actuality…” (Bowie, 58, Col.1). Aquinas gives an example of this in his text. He states that something that is actually as hot as fire will make the potentially hot piece of wood actually hot. Furthermore he states that it is not possible to be in a state of actuality and potentiality at the same time from the same point of view. From different points of view, however, this is possible. In the case of the wood, it can be actually hot while at t...

... middle of paper ...

...re. The environment wasn’t designed for everything in it. All living things in nature adapted to their surroundings.

As for the remaining idea of gradation, I believe that this does make some sense. I agree that there are different grades of people, best to worst. Since no one is perfect, I feel that there must be a perfect being of some sort. I can see that this is still relevant in today’s, and feel that this is Aquinas’ only valid reason whether God really exists. Since no one will ever know for sure whether or not He exists, anything said can only be opinion and everyone is entitled to his or her own. Without solid evidence, there can never be an agreement on this topic.

Bibliography:

Text Reference:

Bowie, Michaels, Solomon. Twenty Questions. Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers, 2000

St. Thomas Aquinas. “Whether God Exists”. Pp. 57-59

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