The Question of Gods Existence - Coursework Example

God’s Existence God’s Existence Introduction The question of God’s existence is one of the most vexing questions in human history. This question has plagued theologians and scientists as well as laymen for so many years without any acceptable conclusion. This question is also at the center of conflict between science and religion. Despite several attempts to answer the question as to whether God exists, there is still very limited knowledge regarding the subject to make a conclusive agreement on one viewpoint. As a result, God’s existence will always be a polarizing issue in the society. However, it is imperative to be aware of the various arguments that have been put forward by scholars over the years in order to inform one’s view of God. In order to appreciate the arguments for or against the existence of God, it is important to understand the meaning of God. God refers to a Supreme Being whose attributes include being all-powerful (Omnipotent), all-knowing (Omniscient), perfect goodness (Omni benevolent), and present everywhere at the same time (Omnipresent). Different people have diverse opinion and concepts of God. Theists believe in existence of God and that He is the creator of the universe and the origin of life. Atheists, on the other hand dispute the existence of God, while agnostics claim the existence of God is unknown and can neither be proved nor disproved. This essay will analyze the various arguments that prove the existence of God, including arguments put forward by St. Thomas Aquinas, while also examining a few counter arguments that disprove God’s existence. Proofs of Existence of God Proof for the existence of God can be categorized as deductive, inductive, subjective, and empirical arguments. Deductive arguments are logical that have a clear link between the main premises and the conclusion in a manner that compels one to believe the argument1. Inductive arguments proof God’s existence through a series of arguments that show strong probabilities of being true. Subjective arguments, on the other hand, are based on personal experiences, feelings and situations of different individuals in their relationship with God. Subjective arguments are basically testimonies that prove existence of God based on one’s experience of God. Empirical arguments are based on evidence that is acquired through experience or observation. 1. Ontological Argument One deductive argument is St. Anselm’s ontological argument. The argument states that the existence of God is self-evident. Ontological argument proves God’s existence by defining the nature of God. God’s nature includes being perfect, powerful, good and great. This argument assumes that God is the peak of perfection, goodness, power, and greatness and the fact that human beings can conceive a being with such qualities makes implies that such a being exists in reality. St. Anselm’s ontological arguments stems from his definition of God as the greatest conceivable being. St. Anselm stated that If God is the greatest being that a mind can conceive. The fact that the mind can perceive such a great being implies that He exists in reality. The deductive arguments can be framed as follows; “God is the greatest conceivable being. It is greater to exist than not to exist. Therefore, God exists2.” Several philosophers have supported Anselm’s ontological argument, including Rene Descartes and Kurt Gödel. Rene Descartes introduced the idea of a Perfect Supreme Being to support Anselm’s argument. He described God as the perfect Supreme Being that the mid can conceive. Several people have criticized the ontological argument. One most vocal critic is Gaunilo of Marmoutiers, a contemporary of Anselm, who said that the argument could be used to proof anything including a perfect island, which in reality does not exist. Most critiques of this argument accuse it of having absurd consequences. 2. Inductive Arguments Some philosophers including Arthur Balfour and Ferdinand Brunetiere have attempted to ascertain the existence of God using inductive arguments, which are based on probability rather than proving God’s existence with absolute certainty. According to Arthur Balfour in his work “The Foundations of Belief (1895)” existence of God can be proved through faith. There may be many obscure and incomprehensible things about God, but such issues can only be dismissed through faith. Another inductive argument of God’s existence is based on the doctrine of the will to believe. This argument states that people do not choose to believe in God on their own accord, but they choose to believe under influence of a powerful force, which they cannot resist. The main proponent for this argument is William James, who states that the mere fact that an individual can accepts theism is proof of the works of God, and therefore, God exists. There is also the anthropic argument that states that the best way to explain human existence and the environment is through understanding the universe as a creation of God. Human life seems to point at some greater force, from which it originated. This force is God. Criticism for inductive arguments stems from the fact that these arguments do not prove God’s existence with absolute certainty. The fact that the inductive arguments are based on mere probability gives them less weight and therefore irrelevant in serious philosophical discussions. 3. Subjective Arguments Most of the arguments from theists about existence of God come from personal experiences or testimonies of people’s interactions with God. Subjective arguments have been used over the years to prove God’s existence based on the things that God has done for individuals, groups or wider communities. Some people assert to have seen God, or his angels in different circumstances or situations. Subjective arguments can be grouped in to three main arguments namely, historical arguments, testimonies, and personal experiences. Historical subjective arguments claim to prove the existence of God from various historical events that have been attributed to God. Such events include biblical; stories of the exodus, Ten Commandments, resurrection of Christ, Reception of the Quran by Mohamed, and miraculous appearances of Christ or angels to prominent people in the past including Apostle Paul, and Joseph Smith of Mormons. The fact that these events actually happened at some point in history can be used to prove the existence of God Subjective arguments from testimonies emerge from revelations that people encounter in their interaction with God. This includes revelations and miracles from God. Personal testimonies are simply witness accounts of various things that God has done for specific individuals. Other subjective arguments are personal experiences of people. Personal experiences include miracles, instructions from God, a call from God to perform specific tasks for Him. Based on these experiences of people, some individuals can believe that God existence believe that he influences people’s daily lives. 4. Morality Arguments For Existence Of God One can also prove God’s existence from morality arguments. This argument regards God as the source of morality. People have a conscience of right and wrong. Morality arguments argue that this sense of right or wrong must originate from an external source, which is God. 5. Teleological Argument Paley William is the main proponent of this argument. This argument argues from the point of view of the designer of the universe. Paley argues that the world was created intelligently with everything approached carefully to make sure everything in the universe functions efficiently3. The world is like any other created instrument such as a watch. A watch was created intelligently by fixing several parts together to enable it to operate and achieve the intended objective. It is impossible for a watch to create itself in such an orderly manner. When someone meets a watch, he or she will certainly know there was someone behind it that created or designed it. In the same way, the earth is created in a particular complex order that cannot happen by accident. This order indicates that there was somebody behind creation of the universe. This person is God. 6. Thomas Aquinas’ Empirical arguments for Proof of God Thomas Aquinas is among the most influential Christian scholars of the middle Ages. He wrote extensively on religion and God during his time and most of his works have become influential in shaping Christian beliefs today. In one of his greatest theological work, ‘Summa Theologica or The Great Theology’, Thomas Aquinas discuses some of the greatest insights on religion, the proofs for existence of God4. He discussed five proofs of God’s existence, based on Aristotle’s philosophy of the four causes. One of the most convincing arguments that he puts forward is the argument from motion. According to Aquinas, a clear examination of the world will reveal that some things are always in constant motion. Whatever that is in motion must have been put in motion by another thing because nothing can set itself in motion, unless it is moving towards another thing that is in motion. Motion is a movement that takes one thing from potentiality to actuality5. Nothing can move from actuality to potentiality unless if it is moved by another thing that is in actuality state. Using an example of a hot substance like fire, which makes wood hot, and gives it the potential to be hot thereby changing it. Aquinas also observes that it is impossible for one thing to be in both a state of potentiality and a state of actuality at the same time. In the same respect, Aquinas concludes that one thing cannot be both mover and moved at the same time. Anything that moves must have been put in motion by another object. Following this argument, it is clear that everything that is in movement must have been set in motion by another thing, which has also been put in motion by another. Following this sequence, one can arrive at the first mover, who is himself unmoved. Thomas Aquinas’ argument of the first mover can be best understood in terms of act, potency, and causality. Potency refers to the possibility that one thing can be said to have. Actuality refers to the current state of a thing or whatever event that is happening. Causality, on the other hand has to do with the impact that one thing has on another in terms of influencing it to change. In the argument of the first mover, Aquinas asserts that in order for one thing to influence or cause another to change from its current state to another possible state, it has to be influenced by another thing. This argument has both its weaknesses and strengths. One area of strength for this the first cause argument, or the cosmological argument is the fact that it is a simple argument that is very easy to comprehend. Unlike other arguments that prove the existence of God, the cosmological argument is very concise, and clear for anyone to understand. Another strong point of this argument is that it is a logical deductive argument with a compelling conclusion that is closely linked to the premises. The argument can also be used to explain other aspects of the universe, apart from proving the existence of God. The cosmological argument can explain other aspects such as the nature of things and the relationship between different elements of the universe. The cosmological argument has several weaknesses that have been the center of criticism. According to Dawkins, the cosmological argument only offers mythical explanations of things in the world based on a posterior knowledge and without any sufficient conclusion. The notion of the first cause can only be possible if there was no infinite regression. The argument also raises questions such as why should the first cause be God and not anything else? Even if there were a first mover, how would one be sure that he or she was God? And why should God be exempted from causation? These issues pose a great challenge to the cosmological argument thus point out its weaknesses. Despite these weaknesses, the cosmological argument is still a strong argument that can be defended in support of the view that God exists6. The argument is a strong philosophical argument based on deductive reasoning. Objections to the Existence of God Some philosophers and scientists have questioned the existence of God and put forward several arguments to support their view that god does not exist. One most common argument about objections to God’s existence is the argument of evil and suffering. God is believed to be powerful, loving, and benevolent. The prevalence of evil and suffering in a world, which was created by God seems to dispute these qualities or attributes of God. If God were indeed powerful, he would have defeated evil, eliminated suffering and created a stress free world where human beings co-exist peacefully. If God is omniscient or all knowing, then it means that he knows all the evil and suffering in the world today. Given that he is benevolent, he should want only that which is good for humanity, which is, peace, prosperity and lack of suffering. The existence of suffering and evil implies that there is no being that has qualities such as omnipotent, omniscient, and Omni-benevolent, and therefore, God does not exist. Bibliography Garrigou-laurence, R. (Edited by Cummins, P.). Reality: A synthesis of Thomist Thoughts. Ex Pontibus Co., 2006. Gilson, E. The Christian Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. NY: Random Hse., 1956. Raemaeker, L. (Edited by Ziegelmeyer, E.). The Philosophy of being: A synthesis of metaphysics. NY: Vail Bolou Press., 1954. Read More