TOMÁS DE AQUINO/2. LA EXISTENCIA DE DIOS: CRÍTICA ARG. ONTOLÓGICO ; TIPOS EVIDENCIA Y DEMOSTRACIÓN

Understanding the Existence of God through Thomas Aquinas

Introduction to the Topic

• The session begins with an invitation to learn something new, emphasizing the importance of listening and engaging with the material.

• Reference is made to previous discussions on Thomas Aquinas, highlighting that one does not need prior notes to follow along.

Key Philosophical Concepts

• Thomas Aquinas is recognized as a significant philosopher who transcends mere Aristotelian thought, creating a unique philosophical framework.

• The discussion outlines three main points: Aristotelianism, the distinction between God and creatures, and definitions surrounding God's existence.

The Problem of Demonstrating God's Existence

• Today's focus will be on demonstrating God's existence, which is deemed a crucial topic in Christian philosophy.

• A comparison is drawn between two hypothetical individuals: a devout Christian and an atheist, illustrating differing sources of knowledge (faith vs. reason).

Faith vs. Reason

• The Christian asserts belief in God based on faith; however, the atheist challenges this by relying solely on reason.

• It’s noted that atheists can be intelligent individuals who do not believe in God; thus, rational arguments for God's existence are necessary.

Critique of Previous Arguments

• Aquinas aims to provide rational proof for God's existence akin to scientific theories or mathematical proofs.

• This leads into a critical examination of Anselm's ontological argument from the 11th century regarding God's existence.

Understanding Anselm's Argument

• The ontological argument posits that if we can conceive of a perfect being (God), then He must exist; otherwise, He would not be perfect.

• However, Aquinas critiques this argument as insufficient because belief in God is not universally evident.

Conclusion on Evidential Belief

• Aquinas emphasizes that disbelief in God does not equate to foolishness since His existence isn't self-evident like basic geometric truths.

Ontological Argument by St. Anselm of Canterbury

Introduction to the Ontological Argument

• The speaker introduces the ontological argument as proposed by St. Anselm of Canterbury, emphasizing its structure based on premises leading to a conclusion.

Concept of God as the Most Perfect Being

• All humans possess the idea of God as the most perfect being, which is universally accepted despite debates about God's existence.

• God is defined as the most perfect being that can exist, embodying ultimate wisdom, power, goodness, and justice.

Existence vs. Non-existence

• The argument posits that existing is more perfect than not existing; thus, existence adds a quality that enhances perfection.

• A practical example illustrates this: preferring a real million euros over an imaginary one highlights that existence has intrinsic value.

Conclusion on God's Existence

• If God is conceived as the most perfect being and existing is more perfect than non-existing, then God must exist in reality.

Critique by Thomas Aquinas

• The speaker acknowledges potential difficulties in understanding Anselm's argument and introduces Thomas Aquinas' critique.

• Aquinas argues that while everyone may have an idea of God as a perfect being, this does not necessarily imply God's existence outside one's mind.

Further Discussion on Evidentiality

• Aquinas questions whether God's existence can be considered evident; if it were evident, no proof would be necessary.

• The discussion continues with an exploration of how both believers and atheists might refer to the same concept of God but interpret it differently.

Understanding the Evident: A Philosophical Inquiry

The Role of Evidence in Propositions

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of pedagogical innovation, referencing "hyper classrooms" as a modern educational concept.

• The discussion begins with Thomas Aquinas's assertion that God's existence is evident, prompting an exploration of what constitutes "evidence."

• A proposition is defined as evident when the subject inherently implies the predicate; understanding this relationship is crucial for clarity.

Examples to Illustrate Evident Propositions

• The speaker uses examples to clarify propositions, stating that "the whole is greater than its parts" serves as a foundational example.

• An illustration involving a wall being white demonstrates how knowledge of the subject can imply information about the predicate.

Understanding Implicit Information

• A proposition becomes evident when knowing the subject provides all necessary information about the predicate; for instance, "the whole" must be greater than any part.

• The audience is invited to consider their preference for receiving all money versus a portion, reinforcing that totality (the whole) is always preferred.

Distinguishing Between Evident and Non-Evident Propositions

• The speaker contrasts clear propositions with those lacking inherent clarity; for example, knowing what a wall is does not automatically convey its color.

• If one cannot understand a proposition fully (like complex philosophical terms), it cannot be deemed evident.

God’s Existence and Its Evidential Nature

• Aquinas argues that while God's existence may not be immediately comprehensible to everyone, it does not negate its potential evidential nature.

Demonstrating the Existence of God

The Challenge of Proving God's Existence

• Tomás de Aquino argues that while God's existence is evident in itself, it is not evident to us; thus, he feels compelled to demonstrate it rationally rather than relying solely on faith.

• The fundamental problem arises from the fact that intelligent individuals may not believe in God, necessitating a rational demonstration of His existence.

• Aquino critiques Anselm's ontological argument, stating it only shows we have an idea of God in our minds but does not prove His actual existence.

• He emphasizes that God's existence is not self-evident for us because we cannot fully comprehend what God is.

Methods of Demonstration

• Tomás de Aquino proposes two methods for demonstrating God's existence: a priori and a posteriori reasoning based on cause and effect.

• A priori reasoning infers effects from known causes, while a posteriori reasoning infers causes from observed effects.

Examples of Reasoning

• A priori example: Knowing fire burns (cause), one can infer that getting close will result in burning (effect).

• A posteriori example: Observing a wet street (effect), one might deduce it rained or was watered (causes).

Application to Understanding Creation

• In previous discussions, it's established that God is the cause behind creation; thus, by observing the universe (the effect), one can infer the existence of God as its cause.

Summary and Next Steps