Abstract
The argument whether God exists or not has been the concern of people and especially great thinkers. Although both sides of the argument represent what they consider proof, it can be concluded from works of thinkers like Thomas Aquinas and Spinoza that God does exist. This paper will examine the work of Thomas Aquinas and Spinoza among others to show that God exist.
Existence of God
There have been many arguments made for the existence of God and also arguments made for the non existence of God. From reliance on religion and faith as the true indicators of God’s existence to use of science to try and prove or disapprove the existence of God, people have come to rely on both spheres to determine the existence of God. There have been philosophers and thinkers who have argued for both sides. One of these has been Thomas Aquinas. In his work Summa Theologica, Aquinas established means by which existence of God can be deduced through cosmological arguments.
Aquinas proposes five ways in which people can know God exists (21). The first way states that there is motion in the world. This motion must have been put forth by one being already in motion. And since motion can not proceed to infinity, there must be one who began it who is thus God. Aquinas second way points to the existence of efficient cause. Since events and circumstance have no power to change themselves but rather affect other things, there has to be one to whom these causes can be attributed to who in this case is God (22).
In his third way, Aquinas uses rational speculation. He states that what is in the world exists in relation to something else and as such can be attributed to something beyond their existence (22). As a result God alone can be seen to have no need to have a pre-existing thing which would make him exist. All things in the world however have a possibility and necessity. Since things that exist in the world pass away then they must not have existed some time. In which case, they would have needed something in existence to bring them to existence. This something is God.
In his fourth way Aquinas uses rational speculation as well. In it Aquinas states that the varying degrees of characteristics in the world indicate the existence of one in whom the characteristics are in full measure (23). These may be more good, more noble or desirable or more true. Since that which is true finds its greatest expression in being, it follows that there is one or something which exists that is the fullness of what is all being, “Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness and every other perfection” (23). There is something upon which the world measures its self up against. It is this maximum that is called God.
The last of Aquinas way states that non intelligent and inanimate things in nature act for the great good at the direction of beings with intelligence and knowledge (23). “ Now whatever lacks intelligence can not move towards an end, unless it is directed by some being endowed with intelligence and knowledge” (23). Without the direction from the intelligent and knowledgeable beings the things would not attain their purpose or end. As such this points to the same principle with regards to nature. To attain its purpose there is a being that is knowledgeable and intelligent that directs nature towards its purpose.
Spinoza in his Ethics also uses arguments that coincide with Aquinas arguments. Spinoza states that “everything which exists, exists either in itself or in something else” (2). There fore what in the world exists not in itself must exist in something else which is God. According to Spinoza, the existence of God would be the one who is absolutely infinite. Just like there are things which exist and are constrained and necessary so there is that which exists without necessity but free in its own nature (1). Spinoza held that God exists as nature indicates.
Spinoza also addresses the issue of substances. Fundamentally he proposes that substances are unique and not finite (3). This is because no two substances are alike and neither can a substance be used to end the existence of another it is dissimilar to (4). However, this does not solve the problem of finite things which cease to be at least in one form. Spinoza therefore argues for naturalism.
In explaining the role of cause Spinoza states that things appearing in nature have their cause. They have explanation for existing and existing in the way they do, be in in numbers or design (5). This concurs with Aquinas assertion that things in nature have their end. This end however can not be understood without acceptance that there is a design for everything in accordance to something which gives nature its purpose and end. It is this something that is called God.
In modern times thinkers like Hume and Lundberg have also given their explanation for the existence of God as not something to be restricted to human experience alone which can be fallible (5). Philosopher, reasoning and logic can help illuminate the question of existence of God. Aquinas likewise advocates the use of reasoning to explain that which is self evident. According to Bauw, there has been use of science and astrology that shows that the very way the universe is set is beyond chance. This resonates with both Aquinas and Spinoza’s arguments.
By an examination of the statements for the existence of God, it can be argued that God indeed does exist. To some God is a being and to others a thing or way of being. However, the arguments points to a being as being are a higher reality due to the manifestations. However, the fundamental qualities attributed to this being and especially its very existence remains. Even when nature carries a mark of this being and is said to express him, the being is not limited by the nature.
References
Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica. Italy: Parisiis Publishers, 1925. Print.
Bauw, Gerardus, D. The Third International Conference on Absolutes. 2007. Web.
1st December, 2010.
Hume, David, and Ferdinand, Lundberg. Does God Exist? New York: Barricade Books,
- print.
Spinoza, Benedictus. Ethics. New York, NY: Classics Books International, 2009. Print.
