Thomas Aquinas' philosophy in regards to the existence of God.
Five proofs for the existence of God
Aquinas shows five "ways" to indicate the existence of God, some of which are developed in detail in his Summa Contra Gentiles.
The first way(Prime Mover) "It is clear that there are in this world things which are moved. Now, every object which is moved receives that movement from another. If the motor is itself moved, there must be another motor moving it, and after that yet another, and so on. But it is impossible to go on indefinitely, for then there would be no first motor at all, and consequently no movement" ("Contra Gentiles," ii. 33). This proof, like much of Thomas Aquinas's thought, is taken from Aristotle, whose "unmoved mover" forms the first recorded example of the cosmological argument for God's existence.
The second way"We discern in all sensible things a certain chain of efficient causes. We find, however, nothing which is its own efficient cause, for that cause would then be anterior to itself. On the other side, it is impossible to ascend from cause to cause indefinitely in the series of efficient causes....There must therefore exist one self-sufficient, efficient cause, and that is God" ("Contra Gent." i. 22).
The third way"We find in nature things which may be and may not be, since there are some who are born and others who die; they consequently can exist or not exist. But it is impossible that such things should live for ever, for there is nothing which may be as well as not be at one time. Thus if all beings need not have existed, there must have been a time in which nothing existed. But, in that case, nothing would exist now; for that which does not exist can not receive life but from one who exists; . . . there must therefore be in nature a necessarily existent being."
The fourth wayAny category has its degrees, such as good and better, warm and warmer. Each also has one thing that's the ultimate of that measure, like good and "best", warm and "hottest". And whatever is the most of that category is the source of that category, as fire (or, in modern terms, energy itself) is the source of heat, and God must therefore be the source of goodness.
The fifth wayEverything, sentient or otherwise, progresses in an orderly way. Planets move in their orbits, light breaks from and combines into its spectrum, et cetera. Reality has a natural order, which could not have come from nothing, yet which precedes mere humans.
Some believe that the Fifth Way is equivalent to what is now called Intelligent Design. However, this is not an accurate presentation of Aquinas' thought, and is subject to the Cosmogonical Fallacy.
-Wikipedia.org.
These proofs, are logical analysis using reasoning, to prove God's existence, they make a great deal of sense, and I wonder about Atheism, and how it counteracts such theories.
But the main point is, that without God, there is nothing to live for. Human Life would be meaningless. What is it that we live for, and strive to become, and why do we show passion for life?
I believe that life, is a precursor to an eternal life to come. But is there meaning beyond the thought of this
afterlife, is there meaning for living without the idea of a Divine Being?
(Not to strengthen my beliefs, justified with wonder, and debate.)
(If not enough is given, just close it, maybe passion for debate, and discussion has left me.)
This message has been edited by prophex, 11-10-2005 08:36 PM
well sure as planets come, i know that they end
and if i'm here when they happens, will you promise me this my friend?
please bury me with it
i just don't need none of that mad max bullshit