by jimwalton » Thu Oct 03, 2013 3:46 pm
"We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and not corrupted, and, consequently, it is possible for them to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which can not be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything can not-be then at one time there was nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist begins to exist only through something already existing. Therefore if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence—which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has already been proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore, we cannot be admit the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God."
Here’s the logic:
1. There exist beings which sometimes exist and sometimes don’t.
2. If they sometimes don’t, then at some time they don’t exist.
3. Therefore if all beings sometimes exist and sometimes don’t, then at one time nothing existed.
4. Whatever begins to exist is caused to begin to exist by something else already existing.
5. Therefore, if at one time nothing existed, than at every subsequent time nothing would exist.
6. Hence if at one time nothing existed, then nothing exists now.
7. Therefore if all beings at one time did not exist, then there are no beings now.
8. That being absurd, we must deduce that all beings don’t fit into the category of at one time existed and at another time didn’t.
9. Hence there is at least one being who always existed.
10. Every being, then, has been caused by another being, or has existence in itself.
11. It is impossible that there are an infinite number of beings who have existence in themselves.
12. Therefore there is a being who has existence in itself: God.
"We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and not corrupted, and, consequently, it is possible for them to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which can not be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything can not-be then at one time there was nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist begins to exist only through something already existing. Therefore if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence—which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has already been proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore, we cannot be admit the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God."
Here’s the logic:
1. There exist beings which sometimes exist and sometimes don’t.
2. If they sometimes don’t, then at some time they don’t exist.
3. Therefore if all beings sometimes exist and sometimes don’t, then at one time nothing existed.
4. Whatever begins to exist is caused to begin to exist by something else already existing.
5. Therefore, if at one time nothing existed, than at every subsequent time nothing would exist.
6. Hence if at one time nothing existed, then nothing exists now.
7. Therefore if all beings at one time did not exist, then there are no beings now.
8. That being absurd, we must deduce that all beings don’t fit into the category of at one time existed and at another time didn’t.
9. Hence there is at least one being who always existed.
10. Every being, then, has been caused by another being, or has existence in itself.
11. It is impossible that there are an infinite number of beings who have existence in themselves.
12. Therefore there is a being who has existence in itself: God.