An Argument Against Thomas Aquinas Fifth Way
An argument against Thomas Aquinas’ fifth way
Section One (Introduction): In this paper I will be arguing against Thomas Aquinas’ fifth way, a teleological argument supporting the existence of God. Aquinas’ philosophical argument rests primarily on a claim about the explanation for processes, their origins, and ends. I will try to combat his conclusion that there must be an intelligent being that designed and guides all things to their ends. This will be done through referencing the science of Darwinian Evolution. I will then build upon this fact, ultimately producing an inductive, and hopefully coherent, argument. Since there are probably multiple instances of processes not being guided by an intelligent source, there’s most likely not a being in which all natural things are guided to their ends. …show more content…
The perceived existence of God based on the assumption that design in nature, is deliberate and produced from an extraneous being. To Aquinas, the functions of all natural entities are directed in a specific way that advances to the preservation of the objects, and conduces its progression to a tangible purpose. The fact that the operations of natural objects are directed towards ends illustrates that an intelligent and omniscient being exists. Here is an outline to better describe the argument in question:
1. Natural things act with a purpose, and do not do so by chance.
2. Most natural things lack knowledge and therefore intelligence to direct itself.
3. But as a bowling ball cannot strike pins without a bowler in play, what lacks intelligence (ball) must achieve its goals by being directed by something with intelligence (bowler).
4. Therefore, some intelligent being must exist that designs and guides all natural things in their processes, towards their ends.
5. That intelligent being is God.
Section Three
Section One (Introduction): In this paper I will be arguing against Thomas Aquinas’ fifth way, a teleological argument supporting the existence of God. Aquinas’ philosophical argument rests primarily on a claim about the explanation for processes, their origins, and ends. I will try to combat his conclusion that there must be an intelligent being that designed and guides all things to their ends. This will be done through referencing the science of Darwinian Evolution. I will then build upon this fact, ultimately producing an inductive, and hopefully coherent, argument. Since there are probably multiple instances of processes not being guided by an intelligent source, there’s most likely not a being in which all natural things are guided to their ends. …show more content…
The perceived existence of God based on the assumption that design in nature, is deliberate and produced from an extraneous being. To Aquinas, the functions of all natural entities are directed in a specific way that advances to the preservation of the objects, and conduces its progression to a tangible purpose. The fact that the operations of natural objects are directed towards ends illustrates that an intelligent and omniscient being exists. Here is an outline to better describe the argument in question:
1. Natural things act with a purpose, and do not do so by chance.
2. Most natural things lack knowledge and therefore intelligence to direct itself.
3. But as a bowling ball cannot strike pins without a bowler in play, what lacks intelligence (ball) must achieve its goals by being directed by something with intelligence (bowler).
4. Therefore, some intelligent being must exist that designs and guides all natural things in their processes, towards their ends.
5. That intelligent being is God.
Section Three