Aquinas and Edwards

Aquinas believes that is it reasonable to believe that something that we cannot demonstrate, but not anything only certain things. Aquinas’ arguments rely heavily on Aristotle, and unlike Anselm another philosopher who argued for the existence of God; Aquinas’ arguments are based on experience. Aquinas put together five different ways that are five separate arguments. This essay is going to go in depth about the second way (argument) that is the argument from efficient causality (cosmological argument) and Paul Edward’s objection against it.

The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. Due to the fact that the world relies on sense, Aquinas believed that there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case that is possible where a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself, so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. As for efficient causes, it is not possible to go on to infinity because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate cause is the cause of the ultimate case. This is whether the intermediate cause is several or only one, it does not change. If you were to take away the cause it is the same as taking away the effect. If there was no first cause among the efficient causes, there will be no ultimate nor any intermediate cause. Although if it were the case that if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes. Thus, recognizing that all of which is false. Therefore it is in fact necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which Aquinas believes that everyone gives the name of God.

Aqu...

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... does a good job of arguing against the cosmological argument, Aquinas could still be able to defend his argument. Aquinas believes that God’s existence is not only an article of faith. He denies that God’s existence is an unnatural disclosed truth. Instead, Aquinas believes that God’s existence is verifiable. He argues that God’s existence is already presumed through faith and teachings. He claims that God’s existence can be subject to demonstration and that for those believe who believe God’s existence, it will be a matter of faith. Subsequently, not everyone will be able to fully agree with or understand Aquinas’ reasoning or verification for God’s existence. If one agrees with Aquinas they are able to accept his claims through the belief of faithful teachings rather than by the way that those who may not accept it and only search for distinct means of reason.