The Existence of God: Cosmological Argument

Aquinas: Cosmological Argument

Key Words: Cosmos - universe     Infinite regression - A process that continues forever                A posteriori reasoning - Aquinas employed a posteriori reasoning

Aquinas was a 13th Century theologian. The Cosmological Argument is contained in his main body of work the Summa Theologica. His theories are based upon a Posteriori reasonings of the world. Aquinas posits five ways to prove the existence of God the first three are his cosmological Arguments. The arguments are based upon the observation of motion, cause and contingency in the universe. 

Aquinas argued against the concept of infinite regression. He concluded that something cannot have come from nothing and that God explained why things exist.

Motion - we observe that things in the world are in the state of motion. Everything changes from a potential state to an actual state .e.g. a thing that is HOT (actual) could become COLD (potential). EVERYTHING that is in a state of motion must be put into this state by another thing, but this chain of movers cannot go on into infinity (no infinite regression) BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO FIRST MOVER AND CONSEQUESNTLY NO OTHER MOVER. Conclusion: it is necessary arrive at a an 'un-moved first mover', put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.

Cause - NOTHING is an efficient cause of itself. Efficient causes follow in order: first cause causes a second, a second a third etc.. An infinite regression of causes is impossible because there is no efficient 'first cause' then there will not be any following causes. Conclusions: it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause to which everyone gives the name of God.

Contingency - EVERYTHING in…