Aquinas - 3

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on arguments for the existence of God, including philosophical terms and major arguments presented by Aquinas.

Aquinas' objection to the existence of God

Aquinas argues that the proposition 'God exists' is self evident once the meaning of 'God' is understood.

Ontological Argument

An argument asserting that God exists because the very concept of God as the greatest conceivable being implies existence.

Reductio ad absurdum

A form of argument that demonstrates a statement is true by showing that a contradiction arises from its denial.

Existence in the mind vs. existence in reality

Aquinas argues that if God exists only in the mind, then it is possible to conceive of a greater being that exists in reality.

Self-evidence of propositions

A proposition is self-evident if its truth can be recognized immediately without proof.

Predicate

The part of a sentence or proposition that describes the subject, which in a self-evident proposition is included in the essence of the subject.

Distinction of self-evidence

A proposition can be self-evident in itself but not to us if we do not know the essence of the terms involved.

Faith vs. Knowledge

Aquinas argues that theological truths can be known through natural reason and are not merely matters of faith.

Preambles to faith

Truths that can be demonstrated and must be accepted before one can have faith in religious doctrines.

Problem of Evil

An argument against God's existence stating that if God is infinitely good, evil cannot exist; since evil does exist, God cannot exist.

Augustine's view on evil

Augustine posits that God allows evil to exist to bring about a greater good, showcasing God's omnipotence and goodness.

Occam's Razor

A principle that suggests we should not multiply entities beyond necessity; simpler explanations are preferred.

First Cause

A concept in Aquinas’ argument that everything in nature must trace back to a first cause, which is God.

Higher agent

Aquinas argues that nature functions under the direction of a higher agent, signifying God's role in the existence of nature.