St. Thomas Aquinas Essay - 823 Words

St. Thomas Aquinas, was a Dominican monk, who generally one of the greatest Scholastic writers of all times. He used ancient philosophy to prove religious propositions. One of the ancient philosophers that St. Thomas Aquinas used to prove religious facts was Aristotle. One of the greatest works that Aristotle did was to prove that god really exists. St. Thomas Aquinas used the forms that Aristotle and Plato used to prove the same philosophical question, does god really exist? St. Thomas Aquinas, first started by stating, is the existence of God self-evident. Here he states that God because he is self-evident, he ahs his own existence. But since we dont know the true essence of God, this proposition is not self-evident to us. For us to†¦show more content†¦Here, Aquinas tries to prove that if there is no first efficient cause there wont be no last efficient cause. Aquinas says that if it is possible to never come to an end in efficient causes there wont be no first efficient cause and there wont be know end or intermediate effect. Aquinas states that this is false. So we have to admit that the first efficient cause is God. The third way is derived form the possible and the necessary. Aquinas begins by saying that if something does not come to an end there would nothing to follow it. If something does not exist at one point in time nothing existed. Aquinas says this is not true because if at one point nothing existed nothing could begin to exist. Not all beings are possible but we just need but we need something to exist before an y beings could exist. Therefore, for a being to exist it has to have necessity through itself and causing other to have their own necessity. This being is God. In the fourth way, Aquinas, tries to prove the existence of God through the grades of perfection found in things. Aquinas says that there has to be a reality that causes all things to exists, to be good, and have their own perfection. This reality is called God. For example, fire is the hottest thing you can find, therefore, fire is the source of all hot things. The firth and final way, Aquinas, uses the governance of all things. Aquinas says that beings that are notShow MoreRelatedThe Philosophy Of St. Thomas Aquinas1367 Words   |  6 PagesSt. Thomas Aquinas was an influential philosopher who strongly incorporated faith into his philosophy. In his Summa Theologiae, Aquinas uses his own arguments along with those of both Aristotle and Plato to strengthen his claims. First and foremost, Aquinas uses his own philosophy to ba ck the Christian faith and the existence of God. However, Aquinas also extends his argument past the initial claim of God and Christianity, and it is here where he uses these other influential philosophers to helpRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas Essay898 Words   |  4 PagesOwen Zimmermann 11-20-11 Mrs.Donofree Rel. Pd. B St. Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Catholic Church, and is the patron saint of Catholic Universities, colleges, and schools. He was born in Rocca Secca, Italy, in 1225 and was born into a wealthy family. He even was related to the kings of Aragon, Castile, and France. His journey into Catholic beliefs seemed predestined, for he was told when he was a young child that he would becomeRead MoreSt Thomas Aquinas Unbelievers Essay1837 Words   |  8 Pages Both in the times of St. Thomas Aquinas and in our times, there are many other religions. To avoid an everlasting war many chose to tolerate those of the different religions. 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As Thomas Aquinas grew up, he was very smart and was very interested in the catholic faith and philosophy and ultimately became a teacher of all these things. Thomas Aquinas proved that he was an important historical figure over his life time by being a leader in the Catholic Church , writing The Summa and spreading his beliefs. Thomas Aquinas proved himselfRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas And The Theological Principles Of Faith1831 Words   |  8 Pagesthan merely to contemplate† is a famous quote by St. Thomas Aquinas. It mentions how giving others the full truth about what they believe in is the best way for others to be willing members of a particular group. St. Thomas Aquinas always believed that there is nothing more sincere than the truth. It was always important to him to make sure everything he said was honest, especially speaking about the Lord so it wouldn’t be considered heresy. As Aquinas grew older and older, he started to learn moreRead MoreEssay on St. Thomas Aquinas’ On Being and Essence1002 Words   |  5 Pages In St. Thomas Aquinas’ On Being and Essence, he devotes an entire chapter of his book discussing how essence is found in composite substances. â€Å"Form and matter are found in composite substances, as for example soul and body in man. But it cannot be said that either one of these alone is called the essence.’ Aquinas argues that in a composite substance, not only is the form but also matter in the essence of a thing. However, in Metaphysics, Aristotle says that essence is in the form, which actsRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas s An Unjust Law1433 Words   |  6 PagesSt. Thomas Aquinas argues that an â€Å"an unjust law is no law at all.† (Aquinas in Dimock, ed., 2002, p.19) However, Aquinas also acknowledges that a human lawgiver may promulgate a command that has the form of law, and is enforced like a law, yet is unjust. This observation leads to the realization that these are two inconsistent claims. Yet Aquinas believes that these inconstancies can be reconc iled. In Aquinas’ view an unjust law is not a law but yet is also able to be issued as law and imposedRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas Of The Personalist / Natural Law Ethics888 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent theories were presented in our Ethical Theory class, the theory that stood out and reignited the most is St. Thomas Aquinas of the personalist /natural law ethics. St. Thomas Aquinas natural laws theory developed from a non-Christian that was Aristotle. Despite many of many Catholic theologian did not agree with St. Thomas Aquinas due to his agreement with Aristotle, but St. Aquinas would become one of the most influential theologian in Christianity history. His theory on natural law started