|
|
|
|
|
Arguments for the Existence of God: Argument of Aquinas (2)
|
|
|
Paul Jang
|
2008-03-04 21:13:22, hit : 3,186 |
|
|
The Fourth Way: The Argument from the Gradation to be Found in Things
Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble, and the like. But more and less are predicated of different things according to what they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it is more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is trust, something best, something noblest, and, consequently something which is most being, for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in Metaph,ii.
Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus, as fire, which is the maximum if hot, is the cause of all hot things, as is said. Therefore, there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.
This theory is derived from the gradation to be found in things. In brief, it can be said that there is God on the top of maximum of all things. But it has been face to the big problem that God may be an impersonal existence.
The Fifth Way: The Argument from the Governance of the World
We see that things which lack knowledge, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result.
Hence it is plain that they achieve their end, not fortuitously, but designedly. Now whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is directed by the archer.
Therefore, some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God. This is called the argument from the governance of the world which is directed by some archer.
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction
Theology 