Prof. Michael Gorman discusses various philosophical arguments for the existence of God, including the concept of an uncaused cause. He explores the limits and possibilities of using philosophy to understand God's existence, emphasizing the importance of critically evaluating arguments. The chapter also highlights the role of philosophy in understanding the Bible and accessing God without revelation.
Belief in God can be based on philosophical reasoning, personal experiences, and divine faith.
Aquinas argues for the existence of an uncaused cause as the ultimate cause, which he identifies as God.
Deep dives
What philosophy is
Philosophy is the use of reason unaided by divine revelation to investigate foundational questions. It seeks to figure things out through human reason alone, without relying on the Bible or other divine revelations.
Different ways of believing in God
Besides philosophical argumentation, people may come to believe in God through human authority, such as the beliefs handed down by parents, or on the basis of the prevalence of belief throughout history. Some may also believe in God based on personal experiences, although the possibility of experiencing God is complex and possibly requires divine intervention. Another way of believing in God is through divine faith, accepting God's teachings on His authority without needing to conclusively see it for oneself.
Aquinas' approach to proving God's existence
Aquinas utilizes the approach of arguing from effect to cause, seeking to demonstrate the existence of an uncaused cause or ultimate cause, which he identifies as God. This is distinct from arguing from a definition of God and involves reasoning that there must be an ultimate cause that is independent and not dependent on anything else.
Limits of philosophical reasoning about God
While philosophical reasoning can provide valuable insights into the existence and nature of God, it has its limitations. It cannot prove everything about God or address all aspects of religious belief. Philosophical reason takes time and can lead to mistakes, and there are truths about God that are beyond human discovery without divine revelation.
This lecture was given on September 11, 2023, at the University of Maryland
For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thomisticinstitute.org.
About the speaker:
Michael Gorman is a professor of philosophy at The Catholic University of America. He has doctorates in philosophy and theology. He has authored over thirty-five academic papers and a book entitled Aquinas on the Metaphysics of the Hypostatic Union (Cambridge University Press, 2017). His main interests are metaphysics, human nature, and ethics. He is working on a textbook in metaphysics and on a short book on human nature and human dignity.
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