Philo Midterms Reviewer

PHILO 25 MIDTERMS REVIEWER
Jason Antoni Valledor & Ela Mae Co

EXAM DATE: March 15, 2024 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Proofs for the Existence of God: Anselm, Aquinas and Paley
Anselm's Ontological Argument
Aquinas Five Ways

Ontological argument: derived from the
Greek terms ontos (being), and logos 1. The First Way: Motion.
(rational account). The ontological argument, a. All bodies are either potentially
first developed by Saint Anselm of Canterbury, in motion or actually in motion.
takes a variety of forms. The common theme
b. "But nothing can be reduced
among them is that they begin a priori –
from potentiality to actuality,
proceeding from the mere concept of God –
except by something in a state of
and conclude that God must exist.
actuality".
The writing here is somewhat elusive and thus c. Nothing can be at once in both
lends itself to different interpretations. Here is actuality and potentiality in the
one way of explicating the argument: same respect.
d. Therefore, nothing can be at
1. Everyone (even the atheist) is able to once in both actuality and
understand by the term “God” a being potentiality with respect to
than which none greater can be motion
conceived. e. Therefore, nothing can move
itself; it must be put into motion
2. So, a being than which none greater
by something else.
can be conceived exists in the mind (i.e.
f. If there were no "first mover,
the understanding) when one hears
moved by no other" there would
about such a being.
be no motion.
3. We can conceive of a being than which g. But there is motion.
none greater can be conceived which h. Therefore, there is a first mover,
exists both in the mind and in reality. God.
4. To exist in reality is greater than to exist 2. The Second Way: Efficient Cause.
in the mind alone.
a. Nothing is the efficient cause of
5. If, therefore, a being than which none itself.
greater can be conceived exists in the b. If A is the efficient cause of B, then if
mind alone and not in reality, it is not a A is absent, so is B.
being than which none greater can be c. Efficient causes are ordered from
conceived.
first cause, through intermediate
cause(s), to ultimate effect.
6. Therefore, a being than which none
greater can be conceived exists in
reality.
d. By (a) and (c), if there is no first c. Therefore, if there is nothing

cause, there cannot be any ultimate which is most X, there can be
effect. nothing which is good.
e. But there are effects. d. It follows that if anything is
f. Therefore, there must be a first good, there must be something
cause for all of them: God. that is most good.
e. "Therefore, there must also be
3. The Third Way: Possibility and something which is to all beings
Necessity. the cause of their being,
a. "We find in nature things that goodness, and every other
are possible to be and not to perfection; and this we call God"
be:" contingent beings. 5. The Fifth Way: Design.
b. Everything is either necessary or a. We observe that natural bodies
contingent. act toward ends.
c. Assume that everything is b. Anything that acts toward an
contingent. end either acts out of
d. "It is impossible for [contingent knowledge, or under the
beings] always to exist, for that direction of something with
which cannot-be at some time is knowledge, "as the arrow is
not." directed by the archer."
e. Therefore, by (c) and (d), at one c. But many natural beings lack
time there was nothing. knowledge.
f. "That which does not exist d. "Therefore, some intelligent
begins to exist only through being exists by whom all natural
something already existing." things are directed to their end;
g. Therefore, by (e) and (f), there is and this being we call God"
nothing now.
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
h. But there is something now!
i. Therefore (c) is false. The Cosmological Argument attempted to
j. Therefore, by (b), there is a prove that, regardless of whether or not the
necessary being: God. universe has a finite past, it requires a cause
4. The Fourth Way: Gradation. that is outside of the universe. But, imagine
a. There is a gradation to be found that we could prove that the universe DOES
in things: some are better have a finite past? What if the universe just
(hotter, colder, etc.) than others. popped into existence one day? Wouldn’t this
b. Things are X in proportion to require an explanation? The theist argues that
how closely the resemble that it does.
which is most X.
The Argument: The Kalam Argument is as

follows:
1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause

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PHILO 25 MIDTERMS REVIEWER

Jason Antoni Valledor & Ela Mae Co

Anselm's Ontological Argument

Aquinas Five Ways

d. By (a) and (c), if there is no first c. Therefore, if there is nothing

The Argument: The Kalam Argument is as

1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.

2. The universe began to exist.

3. Therefore, the universe has a cause

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