Aquinas: Reason, Faith, and Proofs of God's Existence

Thomas Aquinas: Reason and Faith

Thomas Aquinas explores the relationship between reason and faith. His theology is based on this relationship, asserting that knowledge beyond reason or experience is accessible through revelation and reason. Theology, therefore, becomes a paramount science.

Rationalized Theology of Thomas Aquinas

1. Faith and Reason are Distinct: Reason, based solely on experience, can solve problems within the realm of reality but cannot progress further without faith.
2. Common Truths: There are three common truths: the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and natural law ethics.
3. No Conflict: Conflict between reason and faith is impossible. Apparent conflicts indicate either misinterpretation of reason or misunderstanding of faith.

Evidence of the Existence of God

Aquinas distinguishes between evidence in itself and evidence to us. He presents two types of demonstration for God's existence:

• Propter quid: Based on the cause. If there is a principle, it leads to the existence of the cause.
• Quia: Demonstration from the effect, resulting in the cause.

According to Thomas Aquinas, the existence of God is the first datum of revelation. He doesn't merely accept God's existence as dogma but seeks to rationalize it. This is the goal of natural theology. Demonstrating God's existence is necessary because it is not evident to human reason. God is first in disclosure but not in human knowledge.

The Five Ways: Proofs of God's Existence

1. The Argument from Motion

   Everything that moves is moved by another. This chain of movers cannot extend to infinity; there must be a first mover, unmoved by anything else. This first mover is what everyone understands as God.

2. The Argument from Efficient Causality

   In this world, every being is the effect of a cause. Nothing is its own cause. The series of efficient causes cannot extend indefinitely; there must be a first efficient cause, which is God.

3. The Argument from Contingency

   Contingent beings can either exist or not exist. It is impossible for these beings to have always existed. Therefore, there must be a necessary being whose existence is not dependent on another. This necessary being is what we call God.

4. The Argument from Degrees of Perfection

   Some things are more perfect than others. These degrees of perfection are attributed to things based on their proximity to the maximum. Therefore, there must be a supreme being that is the source of all being, goodness, and perfection, and this is God.

5. The Argument from Cosmic Order

   Beings act intentionally for an end. Those lacking knowledge do not tend toward an end unless directed by someone who understands. Therefore, there is an intelligent being who directs all natural things to their ends, and this we call God.