St. Thomas Aquinas

8 Pages 1885 Words

Reimer-1

The argument for God’s existence has persisted for thousands of years. Many great philosophers have attempted to prove, or disprove the existence of one, or many Gods. One Italian philosopher named Thomas Aquinas offers five different arguments for the existence of the catholic God. One of his arguments, I believe, holds great truth in proving the existence of God. This argument is commonly referred to as “The Teleological Argument.” Using simple and obvious ideas I will further defend Aquinas Teleological argument against some famous objections. I will do first by explaining the teleological argument. Secondly, by offering simplistic ideas that further defend the argument. Finally by replying to his two most common objections.
Aquinas’ fifth argument, commonly called the teleological argument attempts to prove the existence of God. The argument states that unintelligent beings or things tend to act, grow, or develop towards an intelligent goal or end. The following is taken from Aquinas “Summa Theologica” explaining his teleological argument for God’s existence:
The fifth way is taken 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 results. 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.(Aquinas-19)

To illustrate consider a natural object that lacks intelligence, much like a tree. When the tree experience a drought it extends it roots down deeper into the soil. It...