>r V 5*i *&* r

1.

ST THOMAS' PROOFS THAT GOD IS .

TEXT OF ST THOMAS ( I , Q .2 ) .

T h is q u e s ti o n c o n s i s t s o f t h r e e a r t i c l e s . A f t e r show ing i n t h e f i r s t a r t i c l e
t h a t i t i s n o t to u s s e l f - e v i d e n t t h a t God i s (a n d in d o in g t h i s r e f u t i n g th e
v a lu e o f t h e ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT w h ic h w ould en d eav o u r to show t h a t i t i s
s e l f - e v i d e n t to u s t h a t God i s ) , S t Thomas i n th e ' second a r t i c l e a s k s w h e th e r i t
i s d e m o n s tra b le t h a t God i s ; l a s t l y , i n t h e t h i r d a r t i c l e h e a s k s w h e th e r God i s .
From n eed o f b r e v i t y we o m it t h e f i r s t a r t i c l e .

ARTICLE TWO.

WHETHER IT IS DEMONSTRABLE THAT GOD IS?

OBJECTIONS: 1. " I t seem s t h a t i t i s n o t d e m o n s tra b le t h a t God i s . F o r t h a t God

i s , i s an a r t i c l e o f f a i t h . B u t th o s e th i n g s w h ich a r e o f f a i t h a r e n o t
d e m o n s tra b le , b e c a u s e d e m o n s tr a tio n c a u s e s s c ie n c e ; b u t f a i t h i s o f th i n g s n o t
a p p e a r in g .................
2 . "M o reo v er, t h e medium o f d e m o n s tr a tio n i s w h at a t h i n g i s "
( i . e , i t s e s s e n c e ) . "B u t a b o u t God we c a n n o t know w hat h e i s , b u t o n ly w hat he
i s n o t ................. T h e r e f o r e we c a n n o t d e m o n s tra te t h a t God i s .
3 . " F u rth e r m o r e , i f i t w e re d e m o n s tra te d t h a t God i s , t h i s w ould b e
o n ly fro m h i s e f f e c t s . B u t h i s e f f e c t s a r e n o t p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o h im , s in c e h e i s
i n f i n i t e , and th e e f f e c t s f i n i t e ; b u t t h e r e i s n o t p r o p o r ti o n o f t h e f i n i t e to
th e i n f i n i t e . T h e r e f o r e , s in c e a c a u s e c a n n o t b e d e m o n s tra te d th r o u g h an e f f e c t
n o t p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o i t , i t seem s t h a t i t c a n n o t b e d e m o n s tra te d t h a t God i s . "

" I ANSWER THAT : D e m o n s tra tio n i s tw o f o ld : One w h ich i s th r o u g h th e c a u s e , and i t

i s c a l l e d ( d e m o n s tr a tio n ) Y/HEREFQRE, and t h i s i s th ro u g h w hat i s sim p ly p r i o r .
The o t h e r i s th ro u g h t h e e f f e c t , and i t i s c a l l e d d e m o n s tr a tio n THAT, and t h i s i s
th ro u g h w h at i s p r i o r TO US. F o r when some e f f e c t i s m ore m a n if e s t t o u s th a n i t s
c a u s e , we p ro c e e d th r o u g h t h e e f f e c t t o know ledge o f t h e c a u s e .
"B u t fro m w h a ts o e v e r e f f e c t i t can b e d e m o n s tra te d t h a t t h e p ro p e r
c a u s e o f i t i s , so lo n g a s i t s e f f e c t s a r e m ore known t o u s ; b e c a u s e , s in c e e f f e c t s
depend on th e c a u s e , g iv e n th e e f f e c t , i t m ust n e e d s b e t h a t t h e c a u s e p r e e x i s t .
"W h e re fo re t h a t God i s , a c c o r d in g a s i t i s n o t s e l f - e v i d e n t t o u s ,
i s d e m o n s tra b le th ro u g h e f f e c t s known t o u s .

"REPLY TO OBJECTION 1 : T h a t God i s , and o t h e r s u c h , w h ich th ro u g h n a t u r a l r e a s o n

c a n b e known ab o u t G o d ,..................a r e n o t a r t i c l e s o f f a i t h , b u t p re a m b le s t o th e
a r t i c l e s ..........................
"REPLY TO OBJBIT ION 2 ; Vftien a c a u s e i s d e m o n s tra te d th ro u g h an e f f e c t , i t m ust
n e e d s b e t h a t t h e e f f e c t b e u s e d i n p la c e o f t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f t h e c a u s e t o p ro v e
t h a t t h e c a u s e i s ; and t h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y t h e c a s e i n r e g a r d t o God, b e c a u s e to
pro v e t h a t so m eth in g i s , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o ta k e a s t h e medium w h at i t s name
s i g n i f i e s , b u t n o t w h at i t i s " ( i . e . n o t i t s e s s e n c e ) , " b e c a u s e t h e q u e s ti o n
w h at i t i s , f o llo w s t h e q u e s ti o n w h e th e r i t i s . B u t th e nam es o f God a r e im posed
fro m h i s e f f e c t s .................. ; w h e r e f o r e i n d e m o n s tr a tin g God t o b e th ro u g h e f f e c t , we
c a n ta k e f o r t h e medium, w h at t h i s name ’God' s i g n i f i e s .
"REPLY TO OBJECTION 3 : T h ro u g h e f f e c t s n o t p r o p o r ti o n a te t o t h e c a u s e , t h e r e
c a n n o t b e had p e r f e c t kn o w led g e o f t h e c a u s e , b u t n e v e r t h e l e s s from w h a ts o e v e r
e f f e c t i t can b e m a n i f e s t l y d e m o n s tra te d t o u s t h a t t h e c a u s e i s ...................... And th u s
fro m t h e e f f e c t s o f God i t c a n b e d e m o n s tra te d t h a t God i s , a lth o u g h th ro u g h them
we c a n n o t p e r f e c t l y know him a c c o r d in g t o h i s e s s e n c e ."
w p

2.
EXPLANATION OF PROOF PROM MOVEMENT.

I. PREAMBLES.

1. V/HAT IS MOVEMENT : M ovem ent:

A. A c c o rd in g t o i t s NOMINAL d e f i n i t i o n i s PASSAGE PROM POTENCY TO ACT.

B. A c c o rd in g t o REAL d e f i n i t i o n i s THE ACT OP V/HAT IS BEING ACTUALISED AS IT

IS BEING ACTUALISED.

2. V/HAT UNDERGOES MOVEMENT a c c o r d in g ly i s V/HAT IS PASSING PROM POTENCY TO ACT, o r

WHAT IS BEING ACTUALISED.

3. WHAT IS A MOVEMENT: A movement i s THAT WHICH BY ACTING EXERTS INFLUENCE UNTO

THE PASSING OP SOMETHING PROM POTENCY TO ACT.

4. PRINCIPLE OP MOTION OR OP DISTINCT MOVENT ; WHATEVER UNDERGOES MOVEMENT IS

MOVED BY ANOTHER.

A. T h is p r i n c i p l e :
a . i s s e l f - e v i d e n t , t h a t i s , th o s e n a t u r e s (B lo c k s o f r e a l i t y ) w h ich a r e th e
s u b je c t and t h e p r e d i c a t e , IP UNDERSTOOD, m o t iv a t e , w ith o u t any t h i r d te rm o f
c o m p a ris o n , t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n by th e m ind ( i . e . c a u s e th e m ind to a f f i r m t h e i r
id e n tity );
b . b u t i t i s i n d i r e c t l y d e m o n s tra te d by r e d u c t i o n o f i t s c o n t r a d i c t o r y to
n e g a t io n o f th e p r i n c i p l e o f n o n - c o n t r a d i c t i o n .

B. T h is r e d u c t i o n i s e n a c te d in an e a s i l y u n d e r s to o d m anner t h u s :

T h a t w h ich u n d e rg o e s movement LACKS t h e b e w h e re to i t i s moved ( v .g .

w a te r a s i t i s u n d e rg o in g h e a t i n g l a c k s 'b e - h o t ' ) , f o r t h a t w h ich i s
d o e s n o t becom e; w h ile t h a t w h ic h m oves HAS th e b e w h e re to i t moves
( v . g . th e h e a t e r o f t h e w a te r h a s ' b e - h o t ' ) , b e c a u s e so m eth in g g iv e s
n o t w h at i t h a s n o t.
B u t th e same c a n n o t t o g e th e r l a c k some b e and h a v e i t .
T h e r e f o r e t h e same c a n n o t t o g e t h e r , v /ith r e s p e c t t o th e same movement,
b e t h a t w h ich i s u n d e rg o in g movement and t h a t w h ich m oves.

5. A MOVED MOVENT i s t h a t w h ic h , moved (b y a n o t h e r ) , moves ( a n o t h e r ) ,

a s t h e w a l k i n g - s t i c k , moved b y t h e h a n d , moves t h e s to n e .

A. T h is i s a s u b o r d in a te d m ovent.

B. B u t t h e r e a r e two m odes o f s u b o r d in a t io n ( c f . n n . 6 - 7 ) .

6. A MOVENT ' PER SE' SUBORDINATED i s a m ovent w h ich moves INASMUCH a s i t s e l f

i s moved, i . e . i t i s s u b o r d in a te d f o r m a lly a s a m o v e n t, o r IN MOVING.

A. W hich m eans t h a t i t i s moved b y a n o th e r to p a s s fro m n o t-b e -m o v in g to

b e-m o v in g .

B. Thus i t i s moved TO MOVE ( a s th e s t a f f i s moved b y t h e h an d TO MOVE th e

s to n e ).

7. A MOVENT ' PER ACCIDENS* SUBORDINATED i s a m o v en t, w h ic h , moved b y a n o th e r ,

moves a n o t h e r , b u t n o t INASMUCH a s i t s e l f i s moved, i . e . i t i s s u b o rd in a te d
b u t n o t f o r m a lly a s a m ovent.

A. Thus a so n , g e n e r a te d by h i s f a t h e r , g e n e r a te s a g ra n d s o n ; b u t h e , in
b e in g g e n e r a te d b y h i s f a t h e r , i s moved t o BE, n o t TO GENERATE ( i . e . n o t TO MOVE
t h e g ra n d s o n fro m b e - n o t to b e ) .

B. Thus t h e son i s s u b o r d in a te d t o h i s f a t h e r AS REGARDS HIS OWN BECOME,

n o t a s r e g a r d s h i s moving o f t h e g ra n d s o n o r th e become o f t h e g ra n d s o n .

8. HENCE A SERIES OP MOVED MOVENTS ' PER ACCIDENS' SUBORDINATED i s a s e r i e s o f

m ovents w h e re in ea c h s u b se q u e n t m ovent i s s u b o r d in a te d to i t s a n te c e d e n t
o n ly ' p e r a c c id e n s *.
 3.

A. I n o th e r w o rd s, e a c h in te r m e d ia r y member i s n o t moved h y t h e p r e c e d in g member

TO MOVE th e s u b s e q u e n t member.

B. A cco rd in g to S t Thom as:

a . i t i s n o t a p o d i c t i c a l l y d e m o n s tra te d t h a t su ch a s e r i e s c a n n o t ad m it i n f i n i t e
re g re ss;
b . n o r i s p r o o f t h a t God i s , b a se d upon i m p o s s i b i l i t y o f i n f i n i t e r e g r e s s i n such
a s e rie s .

9. BUT A SERIES OF MOVED MOVENTS ' PER SE! SUBORDINATED i s a s e r i e s w h e re in each

s u b s e q u e n t m ovent i s s u b o r d in a te d t o i t s a n te c e d e n t 1p e r s e *.

A. I n o t h e r w ords e a c h member o f th e s e r i e s i s moved b y t h e p r e c e d in g member

TO MOVE th e s u b s e q u e n t member.

B. T hus t h e s t a f f moves t h e s to n e :
a . b u t th e s t a f f i s moved b y t h e hand to move th e s to n e ,
b . w h ile t h e h an d i s moved b y t h e m u s c le s o f th e arm t o move t h e s t a f f ,
c . w h ile t h e s e m u s c le s a r e moved b y th e p e r t i n e n t n e r v e s t o move th e h a n d ,
d . w h ile t h e s e n e r v e s a r e moved b y t h e c e r e b r a l m o to r c e n t r e t o move th e m u s c le s ,
e . w h ile t h e c e r e b r a l c e n t r e i s moved b y t h e lo c o m o tiv e power t o move th e n e r v e s ,
f . w h ile t h e lo c o m o tiv e power i s moved b y t h e s e n s i t i v e a p p e t i t e to move th e
c e re b ra l c e n tre ,
g . w h ile th e s e n s i t i v e a p p e t i t e i s moved b y th e w i l l t o move th e lo c o m o tiv e powei

10 . 'WHAT IS AN UNMOVED MOVENT: An unmoved m ovent a c c o r d in g ly i s a MOVENT WHICH MOVES

WITHOUT BEING MOVED.

11 . THEREFORE AN UNMOVED MOVENT FULFILS THE CONCEPT OF GOD: F o r an unmoved m ovent

m ust b e i t s own DO: o th e r w is e i t w ould b e m e re ly i n p o te n c y t o d o , and w ould
t h e r e f o r e r e q u i r e t o b e moved b y a n o th e r fro m can -d o t o d o e s - d o .

A. B u t t h a t w h ich i s i t s DO, a ls o i s i t s BE.

a . F o r t h a t a lo n e b y r e a s o n o f i t s e l f g i v e s b e , w h ic h b y r e a s o n o f i t s e l f h a s b e .
b . B u t t h a t a lo n e b y r e a s o n o f i t s e l f h a s b e , w h ic h IS i t s b e ; f o r o th e rw is e
i t w ould need to h a v e i t s b e fro m a n o t h e r , - i n w h ich c a s e i t w ould n o t by
re a so n o f i t s e l f have be.

B. B u t:
a . a b e in g w h ich i s i t s b e , c a n n o t l a c k b e , and t h e r e f o r e i s a NECESSARY BEING;
b . M o reo v er:
b l . s in c e b e i s t h e u l t i m a t e a c t , so t h a t i n a b e in g who i s h i s b e , b e i s b o th
u n r e c e iv e d and u n r e c e p t i v e , i . e . PURE ACT,
b 2 . and s in c e BE i s th e fo rm o f BEING,
b 3 . a b e in g who i s h i s b e i s BEING WITHOUT LIM IT, i . e . i s BEING SIMPLY OR
ABSOLUTELY INFINITE.
c . F u rth e rm o re , a b e in g who i s h i s b e :
c l . s in c e c o m p o s itio n o f e s s e n c e and b e i s p re su p p o se d t o e v e ry o th e r
c o m p o s itio n , i s u t t e r l y SIMPLE, and t h e r e f o r e :
c l a . i s UNIQUE, i . e . one o n ly ,
c l b . and i s a SPIR IT,
c l c . and t h e r e f o r e i s INTELLECTUAL, and in d e e d IS h i s UNDERSTAND,
e l d , and t h e r e f o r e e n jo y s YfILL, and in d e e d _IS h i s LOVE,
c 2 . and s in c e h e i s PURE ACT,
c 2 a . i s IMMUTABLE,
c2 b . and t h e r e f o r e ETERNAL.

C. B u t su c h a b e i n g :
a . s i n c e h e e n jo y s t h e s e a t t r i b u t e s , i s TRANSCENDENT o v e r a l l f i n i t e , c o m p o site ,
m u l t i p l e , m u ta b le , c o n t in g e n t b e i n g s , a s w e l l a s o v e r e v e r y th in g c o r p o r e a l and
n o n -in t e l le c t u a l ,
b . and s i n c e h e i s t h e PRIME PRINCIPLE o f a l l m ovem ent, so t h a t w h a ts o e v e r
u n d e rg o e s m ovem ent, d o e s u n d erg o movement o n ly fo rasm u ch a s i t s movement i s
re d u c e d to him a s t o i t s suprem e p r i n c i p l e , and so t h a t a l l o t h e r t h i n g s w hich
m ove, do move o n ly fo rasm u ch a s th e y a r e moved b y him to move,
c . f u l f i l s th e c o n c e p t o f GOD.

12 . PRINCIPLE OF LIMITED REGRESS: THERE CAN BE NO INFINITE REGRESS IN MOVENTS

rPER SE1 SUBORDINATED; b e c a u s e (b y *m oved-m ovent * m eaning a m ovent ' p e r s e *
sub o rd i n a t e d ) :
 4.

A. A moved-movent has not from i t s e l f the reason of i t s ’move’ ; "but according

to w hat i t h a s from i t s e l f , i t i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t , h u t i s i n s u f f i c i e n t o r d e f i c i e n t .

B. B ut a w hole s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents i s j u s t a s d e f i c i e n t o r i n s u f f i c i e n t

f o r 1m ove' a s i s any s i n g l e member o f Hie s e r i e s .
a. F o r how so ev er f a r h a c k t h e s e r i e s h e c a r r i e d , so f a r h a c k i s c a r r i e d th e
i n s u f f i c i e n c y o r d e f i c i e n c y ; so t h a t a s u f f i c i e n c y o r s u f f i c i e n t r e a s o n i s n o t
o b ta in e d ;
h. t h e r e f o r e , i f th e s e r i e s h e c a r r i e d h a c k u n to i n f i n i t y , th e n th e i n s u f f i c i e n
o r d e f ic ie n c y i s c a r r i e d h a c k u n to i n f i n i t y ; so t h a t a s u f f i c i e n c y o r s u f f i c i e n t
r e a s o n i s e x c lu d e d .

C. T h e r e f o r e th e w hole s e r i e s , ev en th o u g h i n f i n i t e , i s i n s u f f i c i e n t f o r ' m ove*,

and d e f i c i e n t i n r e g a r d t o r e a s o n o f ’move*.

D. B u t w ith o u t a s u f f i c i e n c y f o r *move *, o r w ith o u t a r e a s o n o f 1move *, t h e r e i s

no 'm o v e* ; f o r n o th in g i s w ith o u t a r e a s o n o f h e .

E. T h e r e f o r e an i n f i n i t e s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents c o n t a in s no *m ove*.

P. B u t a s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents c o n t a in in g no ’move* i s s e l f - c o n t r a d i c t o r y ,

and t h e r e f o r e im p o s s ib le , - f o r w ith o u t ’m ove' t h e r e i s n e i t h e r moved n o r
m o v e n t.

G-. T h e r e f o r e an i n f i n i t e s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents ( *p e r s e ' s u b o r d in a te d ) i s

s e l f - c o n t r a d i c t o r y and a c c o r d in g ly im p o s s ib le ,

13 . PACT OP MOVEMENT: T h a t t h i n g s a r e moved i s m ost e v i d e n t :

A. P o r i t i s e v id e n t to o u r s e n s e s t h a t t h e r e i s :
a. L o c a l m ovem ent, a s when a h a l l p a s s e s a c r o s s t h e f i e l d .
h. Q u a l i t a t i v e m ovem ent, a s when w a te r becom es h o t .
c. Q u a n t i t a t i v e m ovem ent, a s when a p l a n t o r an im a l g ro w s.

B. And i t i s e v id e n t t o o u r c o n s c io u s n e s s t h a t t h e r e i s p s y c h ic m ovem ent, a s

when we p a s s from n o t-k n o w in g so m eth in g t o know ing i t , o r from n o t d e s i r i n g something
to d e s i r i n g i t .

IT . ARGUMENT.

T h in g s a r e moved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EXISTENTIAL PACT.

B u t th i n g s c a n n o t h e moved u n l e s s God h e . ...................... ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE.
T h e r e f o r e God i s ............ ........................................... EXISTENTIAL CAUSE OP FACT.

MAJOR : C f. n . 13.

MINOR: T h in g s c a n n o t h e moved u n l e s s t h e r e i s an unm oved-m ovent.

B u t a n unm oved-m ovent i s God.
T h e r e f o r e t h i n g s c a n n o t h e moved u n l e s s God h e .

MINOR : C f. n . 1 1 .

MAJOR: A th i n g c a n n o t h e moved u n l e s s t h e r e b e a m ovent d i s t i n c t from i t .

B u t no t h i n g i s a movent u n l e s s :
e i t h e r i t s e l f h e an unm oved-m ovent, '
o r t h e r e h e an unm oved-m ovent d i s t i n c t fro m i t .
T h e r e f o r e a t h i n g c a n n o t h e moved u n l e s s t h e r e h e an unm oved-m ovent.

MAJOR: WHATEVER UNDERGOES MOVEMENT IS MOVED BY ANOTHER ( c f . n .4 -).

MINOR: A th i n g c a n n o t h e a movent u n l e s s :
e i t h e r i t s e l f h e an unm oved-m ovent;
o r i t h e a m oved-m ovent ' p e r s e * s u b o r d in a te d .
B u t i f i t h e a m oved-m ovent ' p e r s e * s u b o r d in a te d , t h e r e i s an
unm oved-m ovent d i s t i n c t fro m i t .
T h e r e f o r e a t h i n g c a n n o t h e a m ovent u n l e s s :
e i t h e r i t s e l f h e an unm oved-m ovent,
o r t h e r e h e a n unm oved-m ovent d i s t i n c t fro m i t .
 5.

Major: T h is i s e v id e n t from t h e SUPREME PRINCIPLE:

a ) f o r ’unm oved1 and ’m oved’ a r e c o n t r a d i c t o r i l y o p p o sed ,
b ) so t h a t t h e r e i s no t h i r d (PRINCIPLE OP THE EXCLUDED THIRD).

M in o r: I f a m ovent i s a moved -m ovent ’ p e r s e 1 s u b o r d in a te d , t h e r e i s a

m ovent d i s t i n c t from i t , and i f t h i s m ovent i s a m oved-m ovent
’ p e r s e ' s u b o r d in a t e , t h e r e i s a n o th e r m ovent d i s t i n c t fro m i t ,
so t h a t t h e r e i s a s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents ’ p e r s e *
s u b o r d in a te d .
B u t a s e r i e s o f m oved-m ovents ’ p e r s e ’ s u b o r d in a te d c a n n o t b e
i n f i n i t e , b u t b e f o r e i t t h e r e m ust b e a unmoved-mo v e n t.
T h e r e f o r e i f a m ovent i s a m oved-m ovent ’ p e r s e * s u b o r d in a te d ,
t h e r e i s an unm oved-m ovent d i s t i n c t fro m i t .

M a jo r: WHATEVER UNDERGOES MOVEMENT IS MOVED BY ANOTHER ( c f . n . 4 ) .

M in o r: THERE CANNOT BE INFINITE REC-RESS IN MOVENTS 'PER SE* SUBORDINATED

(c f." n . 1 2 ) .

I I I . SIMPLE STATEMENT OF ARGUMENT.

T h e re i s movement i n th e w o r ld , i . e . t h i n g s u n d erg o movement.

B u t w h a te v e r u n d e rg o e s movement i s moved b y a se c o n d . And i f t h i s
seco n d i s moved TO MOVE ( n o t m e re ly to b e o r to becom e) , i t m ust
b e moved b y a t h i r d , - w h ich m u st b e i n o r d e r to move;
and i f t h i s t h i r d i s moved TO MOVE, i t m u st b e moved b y a f o u r t h ,
w h ic h m u st- b e i n o r d e r to move.
B u t t h i s r e g r e s s c a n n o t b e u n to i n f i n i t y , b e c a u s e i f t h e r e i s none
t h a t i s and STARTS t h e s e r i e s , th e n n e i t h e r w i l l t h e r e b e any
in te r m e d ia r y m o v e n ts, n o r w i l l t h e r e b e any movement.
T h e r e f o r e t h e r e m u st b e a m ovent w h ich STARTS movement, and t h e r e f o r e
i s a PRIME MOVENT ITSELF UNMOVED.
B u t a PRIME MOVENT ITSELF UNMOVED i s GOD.
T h e r e f o r e God i s .
 PROOF FROM MOVEMENT THAT GOD IS.

1. PREAMBLES.

1. WHAT IS MOVEMENT: Movement:

A, According to its NOMINAL definition is PASSAGE FROM POTEN

CY TO ACT (i.e . from canniness to doesyness, as from can-be-hot to does
be -hot).

B. According fb REAL definition is THE ACT OF WHAT IS BEING

ACTUALISED AS IT IS BEING ACTUALISED,

2, WHAT UNDERGOES MOVEMENT accordingly is WHAT IS PASSING

FROM POTENCY TO ACT, or WHAT IS BEING ACTUALISED.

3, "WHAT IS A MOVENT: A movent is THAT WHICH BY ACTING EX­

ERTS INFLUENCE UNTO THE PASSING OF SOMETHING FROM
POTENCY TO ACT.

4. PRINCIPLE OF MOTION OR OF DISTINCT MOVENT: WHATEVER

UNDERGOES MOVEMENT IS MOVED BY ANOTHER.

A. This principle:
a. is self-evident, that is , those natures (blocks of reality) which are
the subject and the predicate, IF UNDERSTOOD, motivate, without any third
term of comparison, their identification by the mind (i. e, cause the mind to
affirm their identity);
b. but it is indirectly demonstrated by reduction of its contradictory
to negation of the principle of non-contradiction.

B. This reduction i s enacted in an easily understood manner thus:

That which undergoes movement LACKS the be whereto it is

moved (v. g, water as it is undergoing heating lacks *be-hot*),
for that which is does not become; while that which moves
HAS the be whereto it moves (v. g. the heater of the water has
1be-hot’), because something gives not what it has not.
But the same cannot together lack some be and have it.
Therefore the same cannot together, with respect to the same
movement, be that which is undergoing movement and that
which moves.

5. A MOVED MOVENT: Is that which, moved (by another), moves

(another), - as the staff, moved by the hand, moves the stone,

A. This is a subordinated movent.

B. But there are two modes of subordination (cf. nn. 6-7).

6. A MOVENT , PER_SEI SUBORDINATED is a movent which moves IN­

ASMUCH as itself is moved, i. e. it is subordinated formally as a
movent, or IN MOVING.
 2 ,
A. Thus it is moved TO MOVE (as the staff is moved by the hand TO
MOVE the stone).

B. Which means that it is the conveyor of a motive influence derived

to it from another movent whereby it is moved to move.

7. A MOVENT 1PER ACCIDENS’ SUBORDINATED is a movent, which,

moved by another, moves another, but not INASMUCH as itself is
moved, i. e. it is subordinated but not formally as a movent,

A. Thus a son, generated by his father, generates a grandson; but he,

in being generated by his father, is moved to BE, not TO GENERATE (i, e„
hot TO MOVE the grandson from be-not to be).

B. Thus the son is subordinated to his father AS REGARDS HIS OWN

BECOME, - not as regards his moving of the grandson or the become
of the grandson.

8. HENCE A SERIES OF MOVED MOVENTS 1PER ACCIDENS* SUBOR­

DINATED is a series of movents wherein each subsequent movent is
subordinated to its antecedent only ’per accidens’ .

A. In other words, each intermediary member is not moved by the

preceding member TO MOVE the subsequent member.

B. According to St. Thomas:

a. it is not apodictically demonstrated that such a series cannot admit
infinite regress;
b. nor is proof that God is , based upon im possibility of infinite regress
in such a series.

9. BUT A SERIES OF MOVED MOVENTS ’PER SB1 SUBORDINATED is

a series wherein each subsequent movent is subordinated to its ante­
cedent ’per se*1.

A. In other words each member of the series is moved by the preced­

ing member TO MOVE the subsequent member.

B. Thus the staff moves the stone:

a. but the staff is moved by the hand to move the stone,
b„ while the hand is moved by the m uscles of the arm to move the si af,
c. while these m uscles are moved by the pertinent nerves to move the
hand,
d. while these nerves are moved by the cerebral motor centre to move
the m uscles,
e. while the celebral centre is moved by the locomotive power to move
the nerves,
f # while the locomotive power is moved by the sensitive appetite to
move the cerebral centre,
g. while the sensitive appetite is moved by the will to move the loco­
motive power.

10o WHAT IS AN UNMOVED MOVENT: An unmoved movent accordingly

is a MOVENT WHICH MOVES WITHOUT BEING MOVED. Therefore
it is a PRIME MOVENT.
 3,

H. THEREFORE AN UNMOVED OR PRIMS MOVENT FULFILS THE

CONCEPT OF GOD: For a prime or unmoved movent must be its
DO: otherwise it would be m erely in potency to do, and would therefore ?
require to be moved by another from can "do to does-do.

A, But that which is its DO, also is its BE,

a. For that alone by reason of itself gives be, which by reason of it ­
se lf has be.
b. But that alone by reason of itself has be, which IS its be; for
otherwise it would need to have its be from another, - in which case it
would not by reason of itself have be.

B. But:
a. a being which is its be, cannot lack be, and therefore is a
NECESSARY BEING;
b. Moreover:
b l, since be is the ultimate act, so that in a being who is his be, be
is both unreceived and unreceptive, i . e , PURE ACT (i. e. PURE DOESY-
NESS, lacking all canniness),
b2. and since BE is the form of BEING,
b3. a being who is his be is BEING WITHOUT LIMIT, i .e . is BEING
SIMPLY OR ABSOLUTELY INFINITE,
c. Furthermore, a being who is his be:
c l, since composition of essence and be is presupposed to every
other composition, is utterly SIMPLE, and therefore:
cla , is UNIQUE, i .e , one only,
clb„ and is a SPIRIT,
c l c. and therefore is INTELLECTUAL and PERSONAL, and indeed
IS his UNDERSTAND,
cld, and therefore enjoys WILL, and indeed IS his LOVE,
c2, and since he is PURE ACT,
c2a. is SUPREMELY PERFECT,
c2b. and IMMUTABLE, (since mutability supposes potency or
canniness),
c2c. and therefore ETERNAL.

C. But such a being:

a. since he enjoys these attributes, is TRANSCENDENT over all
finite, composite, multiple, mutable, contingent beings, as well as over
everything corporeal and non-intellectual,
b. and since he is the PRIME PRINCIPLE of all movement, so that
whatsoever undergoes movement, does undergo movement only forasmuch
as its movement is reduced to him as to its supreme principle, and so tha'
all other things which move, do move only forasmuch as they are moved by
him to move,
c. fulfils the concept of GOD.

12. PRINCIPLE OF LIMITED REGRESS: THERE CAN BE NO INFINITE

REGRESS IN MOVENTS 'PER SE* SUBORDINATED:

A. Which is manifest thus:

a. A movent 1per se* subordinated has not from itself the reason of.
its 'move1; but according to what it has from itself, it is not sufficient,
but is insufficient or deficient,

b. But a whole series of movents 'per se ’ subordinated is just as

deficient or insufficient for 1move1 as is any single member of the series,
b l. For howsoever far back the series be carried, so far back is
carried the insufficiency or deficiency; so that a sufficiency or sufficient
reason is not obtained;
b2. therefore, if the series be carried back unto infinity, then the in ­
sufficiency or deficiency is carried back unto infinity; so that a sufficiency
or sufficient reason is excluded.

c. Therefore the whole series, even though infinite, is insufficient

for 1move1, and deficient in regard to reason of 1move1.
d. But without a sufficiency for 1move1, or without a reason of 1move1,
there is no *move*; for nothing is without a reason of be.
e. Therefore an infinite series of movents ’per se ’ subordinated
contains no ’ move1.
f. But a series of movents containing no 1move’ is self-contradictory,
and therefore im possible, - for without 1move1 there is neither moved
nor movent.
g. Therefore an infinite series of movents ’per se 1 subordinated is
self-contradictory and accordingly im possible.

B. The same is manifest also thus:

a. Let it be supposed that with respect to some mobile which is moved,

a series of movents ’per s e ’ subordinated, regresses to infinity.
b. Then two mutually contradictory consequences follow:
b l. FIRST: movement occurs in the mobile (v. g, in the stone).
b2. SECOND: movement does not occur in the mobile (v. g. in the
stone), because no motive influence is possessed by the proximate movent
(v. g, by the staff).
b2a. For the proximate movent enjoys only motive influence conveyed
to it by intermediary movents,
b2b. But intermediary movents are only conveyors of motive influence,
not originants thereof.
b2c. But if the series of intermediary movents regresses to infinity,
an originant of motive influence is excluded (i. e. there is no originant of
motive influence), for all the movents beyond the proximate movent (v. g.
the staff) are then intermediary (i. e, are mere conveyors).
b2d. But the members of an infinite series of mere conveyors without
a motive influence to convey, convey no motive influence.
b2e. But then no motive influence is conveyed to the proximate
movent {v.g. to the staff).
b2f. And thus the proximate movent has no motive influence,
b2g. And therefore it does not move the mobile (v.g. the staff does
not move the stone).
b2h. Therefore movement does not occur in the mobile (v.g. in the
stone).

c. But a supposition from which follow two mutually contradictory

consequences, is itself self-contradictory, and therefore is a supposition
of the im possible.

d. Therefore it is self-contradictory, and accordingly im possible,

that a series of movents ’per se’ subordinated regress unto infinity.

13, FACT OF MOVEMENT: That things undergo movement is most

evident:
 5.

A. For it is evident to our senses that there is:

a. Local movement, as when a ball passes across the field,
b. Qualitative movement, as when water becomes hot.
c. Quantitative movement, as when a plant or animal grows.

B. And it is evident to our consciousness that there is psychic move­

ment, as when we pass from not-knowing something to knowing it, or from
not desiring something to desiring it.

II. ARGUMENT.

Things undergo movem ent.................................... EXISTENTIAL FACT.

But things cannot undergo movement unless
God be ............................................ ESSENTIALPR
Therefore God i s .......................................................EXISTENTIAL CAUSE
OF FACT.
MAJOR: Cf. n. 13.

MINOR: Things cannot undergo movement unless there is a prime or

----------- unmoved-mo vent.
But a prime or unmoved -movent is God.
Therefore things cannot undergo movement unless God be.

MINOR: Cf. n. 11.

MAJOR; A thing cannot undergo movement unless there be a movent

distinct from it.
But no thing is a movent unless:
either itself be a prime or unmoved-movent,
or there be a prime or unmoved-movent distinct from it.
Therefore a thing cannot undergo movement unless there be
a prime or unmoved-movent.

MAJOR: WHATEVER UNDERGOES MOVEMENT IS MOVED BY

ANOTHER (cf. n. 4).

MINOR: A thing cannot be a movent unless:

either itself be a prime or unmoved-movent;
or it be a moved-movent ' per se' subordinated,
Eut if it be a moved-movent 'per se* subordinated, there is a
prime or unmoved-movent distinct from it.
Therefore a thing cannot be a movent unless:
either itself be a prime or unmoved movent,
or there be a prime or unmoved -movent distinct from it.

Major: This is evident from the SUPREME PRINCIPLE:

(a) for 'unmoved' and 'moved' are contradictorily opposed,
(b) so that there is no third (PRINCIPLE OF THE EXCLUDED
THIRD).

Minor: If a movent is a moved-movent 'per se' subordinated, there is

a movent distinct from it, and if this movent is a moved-
movent 'per se1 subordinate, there is another movent distinct
from it, - so that there is a series of moved-movents 'per
se' subordinated.
But a series of moved -movents 'per se' subordinated cannot be
infinite, but before it there must be a unmoved-movent (i, e.a
 6

prime movent).
Therefore if a movent is a moved-movent 1per sel subordinated,
there is a prime or unmoved-movent distinct from it.

Major: WHATEVER UNDERBOBS MOVEMENT IS MOVED BY

ANOTHER <ci, n,4).
Minor; THERE CANNOT BE INFINITE REGRESS IN MOVENTS *PSR
SES SUBORDINATED (cf. n,12).

HI. SIMPLE STATEMENT OF ARGUMENT,

There is movement in the world, i . e . things undergo movement.

But whatever undergoes movement is moved by a second. And
if this second is moved TO MOVE (not m erely to be or to b e­
come), it must be moved by a third, - which must be in
order to move; and if this third is moved TO MOVE, it must
be moved by a fourth, - which must be in order to move.
But this regress cannot be unto infinity, because if there is none
that is and STARTS the se rie s, then neither will there be any
intermediary movents, nor will there by any movement.
Therefore there must be a movent which STARTS movement,
and therefore is a PRIME MOVENT ITSELF UNMOVED.
But a PRIME MOVENT ITSELF UNMOVED is GOD.
Therefore God is .

IV. FURTHER CLARIFICATION OF THIS PROOF.

PRINCIPLE; Whatever undergoes movement, Wherefrom it follows

is moved by another. that: it movement
In movents *per s e l subordina­ occurs, there is a
ted, there is no infinite regress. PRIME MOVENT.

FACT: But movement occurs.

CAUSE: Therefore there is a PRIME MOVENT.

Because it is its DO.

And therefore is its BE.
PRINCIPLE; But a PRIME
MOVENT IS an UNCAUSED BEING,
GOD. and a NECESSARY BEING.

And there-f f and therefore IMMUTABLE

fore is j ! and therefore ETERNAL,
and absolutely INFINITE,
and and SUPREMELY PERFEC

I PURE
ACT and therefore
(UNIQUE,
and therefore the
SOLE PRIME
MOVENT,
and a SPIRIT,
and therefore
INTELLECTUAL
and therefore
PERSONAL, and
his own UNDER­
STAND; and his
own LOVE,
CAUSE: Therefore GOD IS.