Revisiting Aquinas' Proofs for the Existence of God

Erscheinungsjahr 2016
ISBN: 978-90-04-31157-2
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 289, 274 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 231 mm, Gewicht: 408 g

Reihe: Value Inquiry Book Series / Philosophy and Religion

Edited and introduced by Robert Arp, Revisiting Aquinas’ Proofs for the Existence of God is a collection of new papers written by scholars focusing on the famous Five Proofs or Ways (Quinque Viae) for the existence of God put forward by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) near the beginning of his unfinished tome, Summa Theologica. It is not an exaggeration to say that not only is Aquinas’ Summa a landmark text in the history of Western philosophy and Christianity, but also that the Five Proofs discussed therein—namely, the arguments that conclude to the Unmoved Mover, Uncaused Cause, Necessary Being, Superlative Being, and Intelligent Director—are as compelling today as they were in the 13th Century. Written in a debate format with different scholars arguing for and against each Proof, the papers in the book consist of arguments utilizing various combinations of contemporary science and philosophical ideas to bolster the positions. The result is a revisiting of Aquinas’ Proofs that is relevant, stimulating, enlightening, and refreshing.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Arp, Robert

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Mittelalterliche & Scholastische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Geschichte der Theologie, Einzelne Theologen
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL FOREWORD
KENNETH A. BRYSON

INTRODUCTION
ROBERT ARP

THE FIRST PROOF

One: A Motion to Reconsider: A Defense of Aquinas'
Prime Mover Argument for the Existence of God
HEATHER THORNTON MCRAE AND JAMES MCRAE

Two: The Prime Mover Removed: A Contemporary
Critique of Aquinas' Prime Mover Argument
RICHARD GEENEN AND ROGER HUNT

Three: A Response to Geenen and Hunt
HEATHER THORNTON MCRAE AND JAMES MCRAE

Four: A Response to McRae and McRae
RICHARD GEENEN AND ROGER HUNT

THE SECOND PROOF

Five: The Relevance of Aquinas' Uncaused Cause Argument
GAVEN KERR, OP

Six: The Irrelevance of Aquinas' Uncaused Cause Argument
HERB ROSEMAN

Seven: A Response to Roseman
GAVEN KERR, OP

Eight: A Response to Kerr
HERBERT ROSEMAN

THE THIRD PROOF

Nine: From Contingency to Necessary Being
ADAM BARKMAN

Ten: Problems with Aquinas' Third Way
EDWARD MOAD

Eleven: A Response to Moad
ADAM BARKMAN

Twelve: A Response to Barkman
EDWARD MOAD

THE FOURTH PROOF

Thirteen: A Fourth Way to Prove God's Existence
DAVID BECK

Fourteen: Not So Superlative: The Fourth Way as
Comparatively Problematic
BENJAMIN W. MCCRAW

Fifteen: A Response to McCraw
EDWARD N. MARTIN

Sixteen: A Response to Beck
BENJAMIN W. MCCRAW

THE FIFTH PROOF

Seventeen: Aquinas' Fifth Way and the Possibility of Science
MICHAEL HAYES

Eighteen: Science and Nature without God
KEVIN S. DECKER

Nineteen: A Response to Decker
MICHAEL HAYES

Twenty: A Response to Hayes
KEVIN S. DECKER

WORKS CITED

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

INDEX

Über Autor(innen)

Robert Arp, PhD (2004), Saint Louis University, is a research analyst working for the US Army. His work in philosophy of religion has appeared in Religious Studies, History of Philosophy Quarterly, International Philosophical Quarterly, Journal of Philosophical Research, and American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly. See robertarp.com.