Aquinas Five Ways Essays

Aquinas Five Ways Essays Aquinas Five Ways Essay Aquinas Five Ways Essay St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Selection from his Summa theologiae (Summary of theology), ca. 1268 Part 1, question 2, article 3 (sometimes abbreviated ST 1.2.3) Available online: newadvent.org/summa/1002.htm#3 The writing style and presentation of the medieval philosophers and theologians is quite different from how essays are written today. Thomas begins by introducing a topic (called the Questionâ„ ¢), which in this case is the existence of a God. He then examines a number of more specific issues or questions within that topic (called the Articlesâ„ ¢). Below we are looking only at the third article in this Question, the issue of whether God exists. Thomasâ„ ¢s method of presentation is to consider various positions or views on that issue; these are positions he will ultimately reject, and so he calls them Objectionsâ„ ¢ to his thesis. (Again, the objections below are not Thomasâ„ ¢s position; they are positions popular or otherwise known during his day.) After the objections are presented, Thomas presents a contrary view, usually called the Sed Contraâ„ ¢, which is the latin for what is translated below as On the Contrary. Again, this is not Thomasâ„ ¢s position; i t is just a contrary position to show that debate exists on the issue at hand. Next, Thomas gives his own position on the matter, called the Respondeo, which is the latin for what is translated below as I answer that. When Thomas says I answer that he is giving his own considered position on the issue. Here below, he presents his view of the Five Ways to show that a God exists. Finally, Thomas offers replies to the original Objections, considering them in light of the position he endorses. Question 2: The Existence of God Article 3. Whether God exists Objection 1. It seems that God does not exist; because if one of two contraries be infinite, the other would be altogether destroyed. But the word Godâ„ ¢ means that He is infinite goodness. If, therefore, God existed, there would be no evil discoverable; but there is evil in the world. Therefore God does not exist. Objection 2. Further, it is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has been produced by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle which is nature; and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle which is human reason, or will. Therefore there is no need to suppose Godâ„ ¢s existence. On the contrary, It is said in the person of God: I am Who am. (Exodus 3:14) I answer that, The existence of God can be shown in five ways. The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality. But nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality, except by something in a state of actuality. Thus that which is actually hot, as fire, makes wood, which is potentially hot, to be actually hot, and thereby moves and changes it. Now it is not possible that the same thing should be at once in actuality and potentiality in the same respect, but only in different respects. For what is actually hot cannot simultaneously be potentially hot; but it is simultaneously potentially cold. It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e. that it should move itself. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God. The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient cause, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient cause it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient cause; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God. The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existence. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence† which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not . Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God. The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like. But moreâ„ ¢ and lessâ„ ¢ are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is truest, something best, something noblest and, consequently, something which is uttermost being; for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in [Aristotleâ„ ¢s] Metaphysics II. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. 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. The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, 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 not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God. Reply to Objection 1. As Augustine says (Enchiridion xi): Since God is the highest good, He would not allow any evil to exist in His works, unless His omnipotence and goodness were such as to bring good even out of evil. This is part of the infinite goodness of God, that He should allow evil to exist, and out of it produce good. Reply to Objection 2. Since nature works for a determinate end under the direction of a higher agent, whatever is done by nature must needs be traced back to God, as to its first cause. So also whatever is done voluntarily must also be traced back to some higher cause other than human reason or will, since these can change or fail; for all things that are changeable and capable of defect must be traced back to an immovable and self-necessary first principle, as was shown in the body of the Article.

Letter of Inquiry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Letter of Inquiry - Essay Example I remember your performance when you were the head of the district education department before your term expired in 2011. There were several challenges the education sector incurred, but you being the head of the department managed to overcome the challenges. It is clear that your profile is far much envied by many as you managed to chair and equitably allocate the over 1 million fund donated by the non-governmental organization. Being the director and the owner of the brook house schools, am delighted with no doubt that you are the best adviser to show us the way since we are still young in leadership. Due to late allocation of funds to schools by the government, I am afraid to tell you that we cannot provide transportation, lodging and meals while you attend our function. We therefore, as an association, have planned an after function trip to the national archives and museums to mark our first anniversary. You are therefore asked to come along with two of your family members to enjoy this trip to the historical

Why we should buy American made vehicles over foreign vehicles Essay

Why we should buy American made vehicles over foreign vehicles - Essay Example 274). Many people refer globalization as Americanization rather than anything else. In their opinion, the concept of globalization was introduced by America and other capitalist countries to loot the wealth of other countries. However, recent statistics show that America failed to exploit the opportunities presented by globalization whereas China and India like countries were successful in exploiting it. Recent recession affected America more than any other country in the world. In short, globalization brought more harm than good to the Americans. Automotive industry is one business area in which globalization brought revolutionary changes. Even though America is one of the major car manufacturing countries in the world, majority of the Americans purchase foreign cars such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Nissan etc. The demand for American cars in American market is less compared to that for foreign cars. Huge American automobile manufacturing companies, such as General Motors, are struggling to survive in the car market at present. It should be noted that plenty of American car manufacturers have already reduced their number of employees and car production because of weaker demand. In short, globalization and subsequent developments in the business circles are causing huge problems to Americans now. American economy is struggling at present. Under the above circumstances, it is the duty of every American to give a helping hand to the revitalization of American economy. Purchasing of American made products is one way of helping American economic growth. This paper analyses the reasons why we should buy American made vehicles over foreign vehicles. According to Mark Karlin (2012), â€Å"The auto industry has a long history of providing sound jobs and contributing to economic prosperity in the U.S. Now it’s time for consumers to give back by choosing domestic cars

Graham Greene’s “The Destructors” Essay Example for Free

Graham Greene’s â€Å"The Destructors† Essay Graham Greene’s â€Å"The Destructors† is a real-life like story that shows how societal forces or the environment shapes the behavior and thinking of the protagonists. Moreover, the story becomes a manifestation of history and protests during a time of despair, dramatically presented by the author. In â€Å"The Destructors†, the protagonists are teens who call themselves â€Å"Wormsley Common Gang†. However, they believe that their innocence is already gone. Their childhood dreams turned to rebelliousness, selfishness, and cynicism in order to favor the worldliness and complexity of the life which society brings them. For an instance, T. disrespected Mr. Thomas and looked upon him with suspicion. He also destroyed Mr. Thomas’ house. They believed that by acting this way, they would be able to achieve stability in their lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the 1950s, gangs or organized groups are prevalent in England. They demonstrate the same attitudes and beliefs like the â€Å"Wormsley Common Gang†. Violence and the wavering society produce these kinds of individuals or groups. Their acts are the results or manifestation of the children’s experiences, socially and emotionally.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This literary work is the result of a conscious understanding of the author regarding the situation of England in the early 20th century. World War I occurred in 1914, and it is more likely that England suffered from this war. This suffering is greatly demonstrated in the literature and art during these periods, showing protests to the aggression and melancholy in the society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Short stories are often read to serve the purpose of entertaining or informing its readers. Greene’s â€Å"The Destructors† was not only successful in doing this, but he was also able to open the eyes of its readers to the horrid reality of society during war. Moreover, â€Å"The Destructor† becomes a tool that demonstrates how societal forces greatly affect characters in fiction, and people in reality. Works Cited Greene, Graham. The Destructors. New York: Creative Company, 1993.

Review of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Essay -- Hatchet Gary Paulsen

Review of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen I read the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. The book was about a thirteen-year-old boy named Brian Robeson who was stranded in a plane crash. He was out in the Canadian wilderness trying to visit his dad. Brian is left with nothing but his clothing a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present. First as Brian and the pilot were flying to Brian father?s house the pilot was showing Brian how to fly the plane. ? Here, put your hands on the controls, your feet on the rudder pedals, and I?ll show you what I mean?(P. 4). During the flight the pilot seemed to be having trouble with pain in his arm and side. Little did he know that this was a sign of a major heart attack. ? And now a jolt took him like a hammer blow, so forcefully that he seemed to crush back into the seat, and Brian reached for him, could not understand at first what it was, could not know. And then knew? ( P.10). Brian was left all alone, to fly the plane by himself and he knew he didn?t have much of a chance to survive. Next the big problem was that the plane ran out of fuel and it took a slight dive. The plane went into a glide and continued to descend. He spotted a lake and steered towards the lake. He wasn?t a good pilot and ended up in the trees instead of the lake were he originally wanted to go. ?There were great wrenching as the wings caught the pines at the side of the clearing and broke back, ripping back just outs...

My Favorite Music

Stankov 9/18/2012 ESL Writhing Prof. Tom Kane THIS IS MY MUSIC I have always been attracted to trance and house music, because when I was younger I was fascinated by its sound. It was like nothing I had heard before. It was not often played on the radio, and is still not. But whenever I heard it, I knew that was the music that I was born to listen. I feel that I can appreciate different music styles because each one has something new to offer. I always listen to music when I drive, walk to class, or go to the gym.I also listen music at home on the television sometimes. There is not a day that passes by when I do not listen to music. Therefore, I believe that music has an extremely great influence on my thoughts, moods, and behavior. Different types of music can drastically alter my thoughts, moods, and behavior. I am my music. More appropriately, my music represents my eccentric nature. My love for house music is endless. I suppose you can say I am a fan of strange music but for me I `m fan of good music.In my opinion good music is a song that has the capability to create strong feelings. The good music can stimulates excitement, ecstasy or nostalgia, it is one that triggers an emotion. As far back as I can remember I have always loved good music and my ipod has always been my most faithful companion. The eclectic nature of my kind of music has taught me to never judge people superficially but view them in depth. I cannot describe myself very good at this point because of my lack of knowledge in English but what I can tell you that, my passion is house music.You can ask yourself is house music a â€Å"good music† or not. But I cannot wait to meet your ipod and try to define you by your type of music whether you are the ‘romantic' or the ‘realist'. I would like to know if we like similar songs or have conflicting opinions on some and if you are not into music, I could maybe teach you to love and appreciate it and maybe we could stay up late som e night with some food trying to rate and enjoy good music.

Apa Syphilis - 650 Words

Names - Pros: Jasmine, Naloni Names – Cons: Da’Shawn, Brea Date: 11/17/15 Course: Speech Eng 112-22 General Purpose: To Pursuade Specific Purpose: To motivate those who consume conventional produce to choose organic food ------------------------------------------------- Food or Fungus: Conventional vs Organic 1. Introduction- Have you ever asked yourself, how healthy your food really is? We will provide information on the subject for you. With spending money on foods, which has a great impact on the body, to helping our environment; we will be discussing the pros and cons of organic vs conventional foods. 2. Body Part 1 Pros – Organic foods can be costly but you also get what you pay for. Understandable not†¦show more content†¦Organic products produce may go bad quickly. Part 3 Pros – Organic foods is good for nature. According to big oven.com, organic farms produce less waste and use less energy compared to inorganic farms. Synthetic pesticides that are used in conventional food can harm local wildlife. Organic farms make sure that their animals are fed a natural diet and kept in â€Å"free- range conditions†. Rebuttal – Conventional food waste can be reused in the farms where conventional foods are grown. If this is done then farmers can spray their fruits and vegetables with less pesticides because it is already in the soil and fights off bugs. Conclusion – Overall, organic food is worth buying which is healthy for the body and helps the environment. Conventional foods are affordable that last long, and are protected from bacteria and insects. Now that you have information on the two, how would you choose? List your sources in MLA Style (primary, secondary, tertiary) What Do Those Codes On Stickers Of Fruits And Some Veggies Mean? Dr Frank Lipman. 2 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Nov. 2015. lt;http://www.drfranklipman.com/what-do-those-codes-on-stickers-of-fruits-and-some-veggies-mean/gt;. Organic vs Inorganic Foods. Organic vs Inorganic Foods. Web. 19 Nov. 2015. Decision Points: Organic Versus Conventional Produce. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.Show MoreRelatedApa Guidelines Violated in Miss Evers Boys Essay641 Words   |  3 PagesIn the film Miss Evers Boys, several of the now-existing APA guidelines are violated to the extreme . The movie, which illustrates the Tuskegee Study conducted by a group of southern doctors in 1932, tells the story of a group of African-American men who are being unknowingly studied to see if untreated syphilis reacts the same way in African-Americans that it does in white men. At first, treatment is given to them but once the funds for the study are cut and treatment is no longer made availableRead MoreTuskegee Study On Syphilis And Syphilis1559 Words   |  7 PagesTUSKEGEE STUDY OF SYPHILIS Syphilis is a bacterial infection commonly spread by sexual contact which starts as a painless sore which then leads to a body rash and lastly, it can end up affecting the internal organs. This infection can affect all ages both male and female. The infection can only be treated by certain medications or vising a specialist. The Tuskegee study took place between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service in Alabama. The study used experimental research to conductRead MoreThe Little Albert Experiment, By John B. Watson And Mary Cover Jones Hope973 Words   |  4 Pagesabout John B. Watson and Little Albert. Mary Cover Jones experiment helped cure a phobia in contrast, John B. Watson’s experiment brought on a complex. Both were necessary for research both played a vital role in psychology. Each of the modern day APA ethical principles was shaped by experiments conducted in the history of psychology. â€Å"Principle A: Beneficence and No maleficence Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to helpRead MoreA Research Study On Psychological Research1657 Words   |  7 Pagesplace should be secluded given the participant the chance to be vulnerable, opening up to the researcher so that the study will be concrete. The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was created to discover how syphilis affects the African American culture more than Caucasians. The theory was that whites experience more complications from syphilis than blacks. When conducting this evidence, a lot of precautions needed to be taken but in this particular case they were not taken. The participants in thisRead MoreEthical Consideration For Human Subjects1047 Words   |  5 Pagesparticipants’ guardians’ felt pressure to consent to this experiment. Another important ethical crossroads researcher faced was due to the syphilis experiment in Tuskegee Alabama (1932-1972). In the experiment, researchers gathered hundreds of African American men infected with syphilis and promised a cure. The purpose of this experiment was to observe the progression of syphilis. While the researchers promised the participants a cure, they knowingly withheld any treatment. The participants were never toldRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Health Concern And Despite The Knowledge Of The Disease1359 Words   |  6 Pagesinformation about the disease, the people of whiteness reported lower numbers in new infections because they were able to seek medical care and access the right resources. This article also reports the dominance of other sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea which are also presumed to be higher in black / African Americans (Johnson Jackson, 1994). Higher levels of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) facilitate HIV transmissio n (CDC, 2014). African Americans are not sensitized about HIVRead MoreResearch Ethics And Steps The Author Essay3694 Words   |  15 Pagesto lose confidence in the entire scientific community (Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (U.S.) et al., 2009). In their hand book on ethical code of conduct and principles for psychologists, American Psychological Association (APA) (2010) affirms that researchers are not expected to manipulate collected data with the intention of misleading others. Manipulated data could produce a result that is much stronger than it warrants. When this happens, researchers become guilty of misleadingRead MorePsychhizophrenia Research Paper1333 Words   |  6 Pages(Schneider, Corrigall, Hayes, Kyriakopoulos, Frangou, 2014). Differential diagnoses for early onset schizophrenia is PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. Other disorders such as MDD and bipolar disorder should be ruled out (APA, 2013). A work-up must include a thorough interview of patient with assessment of positive and negative symptoms. There are many rare medical causes that present as psychosis in children (Benjamin et al., 2013). Genetic syndromes, IEM, and autoimmuneRead MoreCritical Diagnostic Review Paper Of Schizophrenia3854 Words   |  16 Pagespeople plagued with these illnesses and most often asylums and monasteries become the treatment centers. The disorder continued to mystify and Sigmund Freud believe it was a result of unconscious conflicts from ones childhood (Burton, 2012). Tertiary syphilis was often thought to be the cause of the psychotic symptoms of the disorder as they both share many of the same symptoms, but this was found to have infectious agents which gave thought to there being more than one factor in the reasoning behindRead MoreAdhd Research Critique2776 Words   |  12 Pagesdeception. Unfortunately, unethical practices are of major concern and were detailed by Smith and Davis in â€Å"The Psychologist as a Detective.† Four instances where this was a huge problem were: World War II where men were used and not informed, Tuskegee syphilis report where deception was deadly, Willowbrook hepatitis project that put parents in forced situations and the Stanley Milgram’s obedience studies displaying emotional upset and discomfort. Using these as examples the field learned from each of the