The Five Ways of Aquinas/Aristotle

[Thomas]

Hi Snoopy –

Well that's an interesting point.

Obviously we cannot say they are 'proofs' because people are free to accept them or not, but those who accept them regard them as 'proof' in that no counter argument exists as a 'proof' to the contrary.

For example, the second way - Cause and Effect - was argued against by Berekey, Locke and Hume in the abstract sense for example, but in 'real life' we take it for granted – when we turn on a tap, flick a switch, we expect something to happen – science works on the principle of cause and effect in its demand that a 'proof' can be examined, tested and demonstrated.

My point is that, although maybe not 'proofs', they are the fruits of philosophical reflection which are still viable today.

Thomas