five proofs for the existence of god – by st. thomas aquinas

Five Proofs for the Existence of God – by St. Thomas Aquinas

Different Kinds of TruthDifferent Kinds of Truth

Humans try to find different truths.

• Scientific truth: known by experimentation and observation. Ice will melt when exposed to warmth.

• Rational truth: known by using reason and logic.

• Theological truth: known only through faith. It can neither be proven scientifically or rationally.

Who Was St. Thomas Aquinas?Who Was St. Thomas Aquinas?

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a

medieval philosopher and theologian who

developed five proofs for the existence of

God using reason as a basis for his argument.

PROOF # 1 - FIRST MOVER:

If I hit 12, then it will hit 11 and then it will hit 14

which will hit 7 and then it will hit 3 and then…side

pocket!

If I hit 12, then it will hit 11 and then it will hit 14

which will hit 7 and then it will hit 3 and then…side

pocket!

This is God.

PROOF # 2 – FIRST CAUSE:

Some things are caused, anything caused Some things are caused, anything caused is caused by another, and there can't be an is caused by another, and there can't be an infinite series of causes. So there must be infinite series of causes. So there must be

a first cause (a cause that isn't itself a first cause (a cause that isn't itself caused by another). caused by another).

But who made me?But who

made me?

You made me.

You made me.

And you made me.

And you made me.

This is God.

PROOF # 3 – NECESSARY BEING:

This is God.

PROOF # 4 - DEGREE

EPIC WIN!EPIC WIN!

EPIC FAIL!EPIC FAIL!

This is God.

PROOF # 5 – INTELLIGENT DESIGN:

Many things in the world that lack intelligence act for an end. Whatever acts for an end must be

directed by an intelligent being. So the world must have an intelligent designer.

This is God.

In Summary…1. Unmoved Mover (Everything that moves, is moved by a mover. There is a point of origin)2. First Cause (There must be something that caused all causes)3. Dependency ( Nothing can come of nothing)4. Degree (We can compare so that means that there must be something that is perfect with which to compare) 5. Intelligent Design (Everything serves a purpose)