Aquinas, "The Existence of God"

Flashcards covering key concepts from Question 2 of the Summa Theologiae regarding the existence of God, including its self-evidence, demonstrability, and the Five Ways to prove His existence.

Self-evident in itself

A proposition where the predicate is included in the essence of the subject, known immediately if the essence of both terms is known.

Self-evident to us

A proposition where the essence of both the predicate and subject are known to everyone, leading to immediate recognition of the truth.

"God exists" (self-evidence)

A proposition self-evident in itself (because God is His own existence), but not self-evident to us because we do not know God's essence.

General knowledge of God's existence

A diffused, natural inclination ingrained in humans by their desire for happiness (beatitude), which implies a general awareness of a supreme good, but not an absolute or specific knowledge of God Himself.

Demonstration "a priori"

A method of proof that proceeds through the cause, arguing from what is prior absolutely.

Demonstration "a posteriori"

A method of proof that proceeds through the effect to its cause, arguing from what is prior relatively to us. This is the way God's existence can be demonstrated.

Preambles to articles of faith

Truths about God, such as His existence, that can be known by natural reason and serve as a foundation for faith, rather than being articles of faith themselves.

First Way (Argument from Motion)

A proof of God's existence that observes things are in motion, and whatever is in motion is moved by another, leading to the necessity of an unmoved First Mover, which is God.

Second Way (Argument from Efficient Cause)

A proof of God's existence based on the order of efficient causes in the world, concluding that there must be a First Efficient Cause, which is God, as nothing can be its own cause and an infinite regress is impossible.

Third Way (Argument from Possibility and Necessity)

A proof of God's existence derived from the distinction between contingent beings (possible to be and not to be) and necessary beings, positing the existence of a being having of itself its own necessity, which is God.

Fourth Way (Argument from Gradation)

A proof of God's existence that observes varying degrees of perfections (goodness, truth, nobility) in things, implying a maximum of these perfections that is the cause of all such perfections, which is God.

Fifth Way (Argument from Governance of the World)

A proof of God's existence that notes things lacking intelligence act for an end, and thus must be directed by some intelligent being, concluding that such a being, which is God, directs all natural things to their end.

Evil (Problem and Solution)

The objection that evil contradicts an infinitely good God, countered by the idea that God, in His omnipotence and goodness, allows evil to exist so that He may bring good out of it.