Sunday, May 17, 2020

Saint Thomas Aquinas Five Proofs for the Existence of...

Saint Thomas Aquinas Five Proofs for the Existence of God Scientific reasoning has brought humanity to incredibly high levels of sophistication in all realms of knowledge. For Saint Thomas Aquinas, his passion involved the scientific reasoning of God. The existence, simplicity and will of God are simply a few topics which Aquinas explores in the Summa Theologica. Through arguments entailing these particular topics, Aquinas forms an argument that God has the ability of knowing and willing this particular world of contingent beings. The contrasting nature of necessary beings and contingent beings is at the heart of this debate. Aquinas sets up this argument in his discussion of whether or not God exists. His five proofs†¦show more content†¦With these conclusions in mind, Aquinas determines that God is completely simple. From the conclusion that God is ultimately simple, Aquinas goes on in Question 14 to discuss the knowledge of God. In article three, Aquinas discusses whether or not God comprehends himself and he arrives at the idea that God does. Since God is altogether simple, then his intellect as well as his being are one and the same. Therefore, God must know himself perfectly. The intellect must perfectly comprehend all of the other elements of God. Through this concept, God must be all knowing because it is the nature of his being to do so. God’s knowledge extends to contingent beings and everything else insofar as he is the first cause of all of them. The argument follows that if anything is perfectly known, then its power must necessarily be known as well. The conclusions are as follows: God must understand himself and understand all other things besides himself and that this understanding must not differ from his being. Free will is a hotly debated concept. There are many plausible rejections to the notion that God gave human beings free will. For example, if God knows everything and everything that is to be, then are human beings really truly free to make their own decisions? Many other contradictions exists. The idea of a necessary being giving rise to contingent beings, the existence of a perfectly good being and evil in the world that beingShow MoreRelatedThe Achievements of Saint Thomas Aquainas Essay630 Words   |  3 PagesSaint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1272) is fundamentally an Aristotelian, and for some, one of the greatest philosophers, and one of the best theologians. His theological writings became regulative of the Catholic Church and his commentaries on Aristotle, represents a great cultural resource, which are now receiving a greater recognition. As a very catholic man, he tried to prove the existence of God. But How? Thomas Aquinas recognized that there were people who doubted the existence of God. BecauseRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas On The Existence Of God1338 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophers shifted their focus primarily to proving the existence of God, as well as other religious tenets they held. Two Saints of the Catholic Church, St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas, developed their own respective proofs for the existence of God. These proofs have gained fame over the subsequent centuries and still face debate and comparison today. Although both St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas both offer proofs for the existence of God, the proofs differ drastically due to the distinct argumentativeRead MoreAn Examination Into The Respective Proofs Of St. Aquinas1288 Words   |  6 PagesRespective Proofs of St. Anselm and St. Aquinas During the Medieval Period, philosophers shifted their focus primarily to proving the existence of God, as well as other religious tenets. 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He infuses numerous theological do ctrines, mainly from Saint Augustine, alongsideRead MoreThe Natural Law Theory Essay examples1037 Words   |  5 Pagesonly be obtained by following the natural law theory. God created a set of laws as a supreme guide for humans to live life, like any law these laws were created to ensure wellbeing for everyone. The laws he created are the civil law, the natural law and the divine law God created them from a law much superior than the rest, one which only God himself has the knowledge of, the eternal law. Humans actively participate in the eternal law of God by using reason in conformity with the Natural Law to discernRead MoreBombardier Aerospace: An Overview1590 Words   |  6 PagesWhich argument for the existence of God is strongest? Why? An age-old debate that has existed in religious studies concerns which argument for the existence of God is the strongest. The existence of God is pervasive throughout the world, although the means with which people attempt to prove His existence varying in significant (and sometimes contrasting) ways. Although there have been myriad methods for proving Gods existence, a central dispute concerns whether or not to use a rational approachRead MoreThe Existence Of Saint Thomas Aquinas And Ren?ï ¿ ½ Descartes1460 Words   |  6 PagesGod’s existence has long been a topic of controversy, one that spans the course of many centuries and––because of its nature––will never be resolved. Two notable philosophers have attempted to prove God’s existence: Saint Thomas Aquinas and Renà © Descartes. Despite having been influenced by the former, Descartes’ arguments––while similar to Aquinas’––are reached through noticeably different methods. To analyze Aquinas’ proof for God’s existence, it is important to first analyze his definition ofRead MoreThe Relationship Between Philosophy And Theology1433 Words   |  6 Pagesthough, see the two subjects of study as collaborative instead. And just as intellectuals of our Church today support the relationship which is otherwise seen as faith and reason, so too did the intellectuals Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure reinforce it in the thirteenth century. However, both Aquinas and Bonaventure have their own different opinions on what the true relationship between philosophy and theology is. I believe that Aquinas’s understanding of the relationship between philosophy and theologyRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Religion : Thomas Aquinas And Fredrich Nietzsche1364 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophers have developed theories and guidelines to help people to realize what is most suitable, important, and critical in their spiritual lives. However, the Philosophy of Religio n caters to everyone, not just believers. Today we will look at Thomas Aquinas and Fredrich Nietzsche and their takes on religion. To fully understand their viewpoints its important to first understand what the philosophy of religion entails. The philosophy of religion is the philosophical study of the meaning and natureRead MoreThe Life Of Thomas Aquinas2700 Words   |  11 PagesHufnagel REL317A Christian Ministry Professor Ruszala Research Paper due 5/7/15 The Life of Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas, also known as â€Å"The Universal Teacher† or â€Å"The Christian Apostle†, was born into a wealthy aristocratic family in the kingdom of Naples at Rocca Secca in 1225 and died on March 7, 1274 at Fossa Nuova (Biography). He was born in Aquino, a town in Southern Italy from which Thomas Aquinas takes his surname. He was the youngest of eight siblings the son of Count Landulf of an old

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Poem The Birds - 1911 Words

The Birds â€Å"Momma,† Lum whispered in the darkness. â€Å"Can you tell me about Old Ignis, like Grandmomma told you when you were like me?† â€Å"Of course dear, your grandmother lived in a time of light―the world wasn’t dark like it is today. There was green everywhere and meager creepy crawlers danced around your feet. Grandmother told me of a sky that changed colors and something called warm. There were days where she would sit under a tree with its billowy branches and feel the warmth and the wind collide around her. She spoke of the sky and when it was full of fire and light. Many of these things are gone now Lum, ever since the Darkness came. That’s why your grandmomma is gone; the Darkness consumed many people upon its arrival. The fiery sky†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Momma, there are 11 birds,† he said proudly. Confused, she responded, â€Å"Only 11? There has always been 12.† â€Å"Momma, what does that mean?† â€Å"I don’t know,† she replied, a worried expression clouding her vision. â€Å"Come inside Lum, it s late.† She turned away heading over the mounds of dark dirt. Lum gazed up and saw the Darkness as he always had his entire life. The faint circle that was absent of stars always seemed to hang in the sky. The bleakness of the sky made him restless. He started to follow his mother, digging his toes into the dirt as he went. He reached the top of a small hill, the whole town awake with the sound of home and bustling citizens before him. He started down the hill, then jumped back. A small patch of skin on his arm stung. A single ember had fallen from the sky. â‹ ¯ Everyday Lum would run into the city. It was like a second home to him, with its noisy avenues and buzzing lights. He ran along the streets. The strangers walked along, staring ahead as Lum weaved past. Lum would count the birds, and the people would count with him. They all looked to the sky. One day as Lum looked to the sky with hopeful eyes, he noticed something was different. Momma had always said there were twelve birds, yet yesterday there were eleven. Now, as Lum squinted his hopeful eyes to the horizon, he counted ten birds, one after the last, soaring up above. He was not the only one to notice. People gaped at the sky, not only at the birds, but Lum could

Reflection Paper on Anthem free essay sample

This subject I am babbling about is not just a subject; It is the subject: Philosophy. ~ Well, at first look, this is how I comprehended the novella â€Å"Anthem†. Simple message relayed through tough words, when really that’s not the point of it. Anthem is about a boy who was born with the curse of knowing things more superior than most of his society—a society that does not accept progress unless approved by everyone. This boy then meets a girl with qualities like her, and later falls in love with her. Even though their society forbids a love like theirs, they didn’t mind and kept it a secret. He tried to help their society through his discoveries, though ended up escaping it, and trying to create a new one of his own. It has a typical story line with a dystopian theme. Aside from that there’s nothing really more from it. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection Paper on Anthem or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Or is there? * Learning was too easy for him because of his quick head. He asks too many questions that his teachers forbade him from asking. â€Å"He only wishes to know. Equality 7-2521 represents the superiority of a singular intellect to the homogeneity of the masses, who cannot think for themselves—the society of shapeless people who are indistinguishable from one another. At first read, I thought to myself, he (Equality) is too self-centered, thinking that he is far superior than his society, and that his only flaw is the society’s disapproval of him. Also, I don’t like how he came up with his conclusion of his ego being the center of his universe (though, I’m not saying that the conclusion is wrong). It’s just so unthinkable how without knowing what the word â€Å"I† really means, he suddenly knows what it is and how to use it. On the other hand, I like how his curiosity always gets the better of him. I like how he is eager to know and discover things even though he knows that it is forbidden to do so. I love how Equality 7-2521 takes risks to justify his thirst of knowing more. These character traits of Equality 702521 made me reflect more on the adventures of learning, rather than the concept of individualism. I like how his quest full of myriad mischief turned out to be an amazing discovery of the light bulb (which for me symbolizes progress and/or change). I love how he soon realizes that his learning is not really for the society, but rather for him and him alone. One thing I also admire about Equality 7-2521 is his love for Liberty 5-3000, that even though it is forbidden, they still chose to continue their love. Selfish indeed, but selfishness is not always a bad thing. Another main character on the book that I have reflected on is Liberty 5-3000 (also known as â€Å"The Golden One† or â€Å"Gaea†) – This character is a peasant that has eyes with no signs of fear in it, whom Equality 7-25521 falls in love with. She is Beautiful, proud, and strong like Equality 7-2521. She loves Equality 7-2521 because he is different from everyone around him. And Equality 7-2521 loves her back for the same reason. For me, Liberty 5-3000 is a little bit too submissive. Her mix of independent pride and devoted submission to Equality 7-2521 seems contradictory. Prometheus’ universe may have his own ego as its center, but for Liberty 5-3000? I don’t think so. Liberty 5-3000’s character is a perfect counter-example of Ayn Rand’s main thought of: â€Å"I is my god†. Gaea is more of a: â€Å"Equality 7-2521 is my god†. (Liberty 5300 to Equality 7-2521: â€Å"Your will be done†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Although I hate how she submits herself too much to Equality 7-2521, I like her for standing out of the crowd. I like how fierce she can be trying to put what she loves first before what others dictate her to. I also like her show of courage by following the one she loves even though it might place her in great danger. However, I think the author somehow just took a shot of presenting a true epitome of a perfect woman with great courage and confidence, but only with the weakness of her beloved. Unfortunately, Ayn Rand failed trying, for instead she just created a weak and submissive leading lady. Gaea apparently became just an object of Prometheus’ with no say on things at all. These two main characters made me reflect on how not all people are alike (which was the point of the whole story: Individualism). Not everyone is as strong or as smart as Prometheus. Neither are they all of beauty and devotion as Liberty 5-3000. The story also made me reflect on the concept of solitude, and how not all people find happiness in solitude. In fact, even in the story itself, Equality 7-2521 is not alone, for he finds happiness in the presence of Liberty 5-3000. Absolute solitude is inconceivable. Different people have different purposes. They might find their purposes with others, or they might find their purposes of for themselves alone. And even if they find their purposes for themselves, still, it will influence their society, because one cannot live without another. No man is an island. As for me, I find happiness in having loved ones beside me; I’m not saying that I let them think for me though. I am currently a conformist and non-conformist. I am a conformist in that I conform to my God and with His teachings. A non-conformist in that, like Liberty, I submit myself to my beliefs and resist things of its opposite (although at times, they may overlap with each other). I conform to my God, and so try not to conform to the world. I conform to my government, yet reject on them trying to take over me. I succumb to, yet I resist. Also, I could consider myself to have hints of Equality 7-2521 in my personality. I love learning as much as I love taking risks. I remember the story of my 4 yr old self. My mom used to tell this story every time she remembers it and every single time we would laugh at it. So here’s how it goes: It was an ordinary day, we were travelling by a car. My mom was driving and her sister (my aunt) was in the front seat. I, my 2 sisters, and my cousin were at the back seat. I was the closest to the door handle, and that was when the inner curiosity of me sparked! â€Å"Now, what is this thing for? † and voila, I was playing with the car door handle and suddenly I found myself rolling on the ground of an uphill highway. While the action was happening, my mom and aunt were also caught in an intense activity: Gossiping. Yup, they were there chit-chatting while I was outside, rip rolling. Since my two sisters and my cousin saw my fall, they panicked and then started shouting, â€Å"Ma! Si Ima, nahulog! †, but since my mom’s activity was more interesting than mine, they had to shut the kids up, â€Å"Kids, quiet! †. Then my sisters started crying. That’s when my mom and aunt started to notice my absence. And at last, they panicked too. They went chasing for me, trying to save me from the rushing cars. But wait! I know that I have done well, and I know that I could do more, and so the learning continues. Moving on from the main characters, another prominent concept in the novella was the society. The society presented on Anthem is so wrong. The people there are under so much fear and are dehumanized. Their society promotes absolute collectivism where they are all one and one is all. They accept few, if not none at all, changes. Everyone is of equal importance as everyone. Freedom of speech is cut off. Men can’t speak to women, they were not able to show their emotions to them, and they can’t even have houses of their own!