The Thomistic Institute An Aristotelian Argument For The Existence Of God | Prof. Edward Feser
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Jan 31, 2014 Philosopher Prof. Edward Feser delves into an Aristotelian argument for God's existence, discussing change, causation, hierarchical series of causes, and the philosophical principles of Aquinas. The podcast explores the necessity of a first cause, the attributes of an uncaused cause, and the principle of causality in arguments for God's existence, highlighting the importance of philosophical contemplation and the vision of God in the afterlife.
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Change Is Actualization Of Potential
- Change is the actualization of potentials rather than something coming from nothing.
- Actualizers must be already actual because potentials cannot actualize themselves.
Causal Chains Can Extend Backward
- Sometimes causes themselves are actualized and so require further causes in a series of changers.
- This can produce chains of actualizers that trace back through successive actualizations.
Hierarchical Causes Require A Primary Cause
- Hierarchical (essentially ordered) causal series differ from linear ones by derivative power.
- Such hierarchical series require a first cause with non-derived causal power.