The first argument introduced by Aquinas states that nothing could move, unless it is being moved by something else, suggesting that there is an original mover. Aquinas asserts that motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality, but nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality except by something in a state of actuality. Further, he concludes that since the relationship between motion and mover can’t go on to infinity, there must have been a first mover- God. However, the first argument ignites several questions. First, how do we know that all things are in motion? The idea of motion is based on sense perception, simply showing but not proving that all existing things are in motion. Then, which sense perception is the accurate one? Apparently, Aquinas does not present facts supporting his idea for the existence of God.
He uses the notion of motion introduces earlier by Aristotle, but in opposition to him, St Thomas saw all motion as purposeful. A purpose denotes a plan and, if there’s a plan, there must be planner. Therefore, movement in the universe happening to the scale at which it does ‘proves’ a grand planner indeed. Aristotle didn’t see movement as having an end, one designed by God.
Motion to Aristotle, and to many atheists, can just be motion, with no particular plan behind it. Then, another question appears of what if the creation of the universe has happened by chance and not by design. Thus, there is no necessity for a first mover. Finally, it is also reasonable to imagine the universe to be infinite in space and time, with a never-ending series of causal movements. How can then Aquinas logically link something unknown in the world with something known in the world? At best, this teleological argument can only suggest the possibility.
The Essay on Aquinas 3rd Way Universe Exist Beginning
Essay #1: Aquinas' 3 rd Way: Aquinas' third way argument states that there has to be something that must exist, which is most likely God. He starts his argument by saying not everything must exist, because things are born and die every single day. By stating this we can jump to the conclusion that if everything need not exist then there would have been a time where there was nothing. But, he goes ...
