The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part One)
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Oct 20, 2025 Explore the philosophical depths of Thomas Aquinas as hosts dissect his renowned writings. They debate whether the existence of God is self-evident, and analyze Anselm's ontological argument and Aquinas' rebuttals. The conversation dives into the complex relationship between human understanding, divine attributes, and the idea of proving God's existence through effects. Each of Aquinas' five ways to understand God is unpacked, alongside objections and modern challenges, setting the stage for a fascinating journey into metaphysics.
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Wes's St. John's Classroom Memory
- Wes recalls finding Aquinas clarifying early modern problems and Descartes' debts to him.
- He notes Aquinas reads surprisingly like analytic philosophy and has wide-ranging brilliance.
God Not Self‑Evident Analytically
- Aquinas rejects the ontological (Anselmian) proof but affirms God is knowable through effects.
- He distinguishes between what is self-evident in itself and what is self-evident to us, requiring empirical inference.
Desire For Happiness Points To God
- Aquinas links the human desire for happiness to an imperfect awareness of God.
- Happiness functions as a phenomenological clue pointing toward the divine end.
