-
Essay / The Five Proofs of Saint Thomas - 1603
Despite the logic that creates these proofs, some individuals still refuse to admit that there is a God. These individuals believe that modern science can disprove all five proofs. They hide behind their meager facts, claiming that this evidence is no longer true since it was not created with current technology and advancements in mind. What they don't understand, however, is that facts are not based on science as much as they are on logic and observations of the world. Three of St. Thomas's arguments – one, two and five – are based on observation of the world. natural world. Arguments three and four are based on rational speculation. All arguments except the third posit that only the existence of God can provide a sufficient explanation for the refutations presented. In the third argument he concludes that God must necessarily exist for his own sake. Thus, arguments one, two, four, and five conclude that God exists because the world requires him as an explanation. Meanwhile, the third argument concludes that God could not not exist. Yet some still insist the evidence is false. The first proof, The Way of Motion, is about how things change in the world and how things are set in motion. Since you can't regress backwards forever, there must be a stationary prime mover. This is understood to be God. One of the arguments against this is: why must God be the prime mover? The reason is that God is only the first being – logically, there must be a first. If there was no first responder, it would have been impossible to start a movement. God is not a “specific” mover, the title of simple God belongs to the being who is the first mover. Coming out of this argument, another question...... middle of paper ...... that it is about God. This ruins the flow that St. Thomas had previously established. The proof speaks of goodness, truth and nobility, which in themselves are not proof that God exists; these are morals. This constitutes a sort of standard of morality, or for individuals to be aware of, whether they ever want to talk meaningfully about the weather or not, things or beings are good, bad, truthful, noble or not . Modern science can explain a lot of things. . However, one thing still remains to be proven and probably never will be: why was everything created? This is where God comes in. He is the only one who can create the universe. We can therefore conclude that the world could not have been created by chance. It is extremely complex and orderly, so much so that it must be the product of intelligent design. This is God.Works CitedSaint Thomas Summa Theologica