Book SummaryFive Proofs of the Existence of God, by Edward Feser

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Five Proofs of the Existence of God

Arguments for Belief in God

The Aristotelian Argument From Potentiality and Actuality

Feser begins his exploration of proofs for God's existence with the Aristotelian argument, rooted in the notions of potentiality and actuality. This argument observes the undeniable reality of change in the world and asserts that change necessitates a completely actual cause, free from any potentiality.

Ultimate Cause of Change: Pure Actuality, No Potentiality

Feser argues that every instance of change observed—a cooling cup of coffee, a falling leaf, an expanding puddle, or the death of a fly—demonstrates potential being made real. A hot cup of coffee holds the possibility of cooling, and that potential becomes actualized as it cools. However, a possibility cannot bring itself to fruition. Only something that already exists can make a potential become reality. This implies that transformation needs a force of transformation, something actual that brings about the change. Feser then examines how these causal links can be categorized into two types of sequences: linear and hierarchical.

Context

• Consider a seed. It has the potential to become a tree, but it requires water, soil, and sunlight—actual conditions—to realize that potential.
• In physics, potential energy (like a rock at the top of a hill) requires an external force (like gravity) to convert into kinetic energy, illustrating the need for an actualizing force.
• In Aristotelian terms, the "force of transformation" can be understood as the efficient cause, which is the agent or mechanism that brings about change. For example, a sculptor is the efficient cause of a statue.
• These concepts are rooted in metaphysical discussions about how change and causation operate at a fundamental level, influencing debates in both philosophy and theology.

Causality Principle: A Real Cause Must Exist to Fulfill Potential

In a sequential arrangement, the author explains, each changer in the series itself often undergoes change. The surrounding cool air cools down the coffee, but the air itself became cool due to the air conditioner. Linear series can theoretically have no end going back in time, but Feser posits a more fundamental kind of causation: the hierarchical. In a layered sequence, each member derives its causative ability from the preceding one. A mug sits on the table, propped up by the ground, which is then supported by the house's base and, ultimately, the planet. The desk, floor, and foundation receive their causal abilities from the earth, so in this particular hierarchy, the earth is the primary cause.

Context

• The idea of potentiality and actuality is rooted in Aristotle's philosophy, where potentiality refers to the capacity to change or achieve a certain state, and actuality is the fulfillment of that potential.
• Everyday examples, like a row of dominoes falling, illustrate sequential causation, where each domino's fall is caused by the one before it, demonstrating the concept of change within the series.
• This is an example of the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat naturally flows from a hotter object to a cooler one until both reach the same temperature.
• The cooling effect is a result of energy transfer. The air conditioner absorbs heat from the indoor air and releases it outside, effectively lowering the temperature of the indoor air.
• In cosmology, discussions about the universe's origins often touch on whether time itself had a beginning, as suggested by the Big Bang theory, or if it extends infinitely, which would imply an infinite regress of events.
• In hierarchical causation, all causes exist and operate at the same time, meaning the effect is dependent on the immediate presence of its cause, unlike in a linear series where causes can be temporally distant.
• Consider a chain of command in an organization. Each level of authority derives its power from the level above, ultimately depending on the top authority for its legitimacy.
• The example is used to make abstract philosophical concepts more tangible, helping readers visualize complex ideas about causation and existence.
• In practical terms, the foundation of a house is typically made of concrete or stone, materials chosen for their strength and durability, to ensure they can support the weight of the structure above.
• The Earth's gravitational force is a crucial factor in supporting structures. It ensures that objects remain grounded and stable, allowing for the construction of buildings and other infrastructure.
• The idea highlights the dependency and contingency of objects and their properties on more fundamental entities, suggesting that without the earth, the causal chain supporting the desk, floor, and foundation would collapse.
• The assertion that the earth is the primary cause in this context is a simplified analogy to illustrate a deeper metaphysical principle. In broader philosophical discussions, this primary cause is often equated with God or a necessary being.

Hierarchical Causes End With an Ultimate, Completely Actualized Cause

Crucially, Feser argues that a hierarchical causal sequence needs a starting point, unlike a linear series. This first member isn't "first" in terms of time, but because it possesses intrinsic causal power and doesn't need its own potential actualized by something else. This first member is completely actual and has no potential. Because all material objects, such as the water in a cup of coffee, exist only because certain potentials are actualized, Feser concludes that an unactualized actualizer, a purely actual being, must be present as the ultimate source of everything's existence. He strongly emphasizes that we reach this conclusion not by examining the entirety of the universe, but by understanding how even the existence of a single, simple object requires a hierarchical causal series terminating in a first cause, which he later...

Five Proofs of the Existence of God Summary God's Nature and World Relationship

Having established God's existence through five different proofs, Feser then delves into understanding God's nature and its implications for his relationship with the created world, relying on principles like proportionate causality, action following being, and the analogy of existence.

God's Attributes

This section explores God's various characteristics, demonstrating how they're logically derived from his nature as established in the previous arguments.

God's Oneness Stemming From Pure Actuality

Feser contends that God is purely actuality, devoid of any potentiality, both in his existence and in his activity. Potential in either realm would necessitate parts, contradicting the divine's simplicity. He further argues that this pure actuality necessitates God's oneness or unity. Distinction between multiple beings requires elements like metaphysical components such as genus and species, or distinct parcels of matter, all of which presuppose potentiality. Because God lacks potentiality, He cannot possess any distinguishing characteristics, and therefore must be unique. Consequently, Feser asserts that the religious belief established through previous arguments is...

Five Proofs of the Existence of God Summary Opposition to Theological Philosophy and Responses

This section addresses common objections leveled against natural theology and theistic proofs, providing detailed rebuttals and elucidating the misconceptions underlying these objections.

Objections Concerning Causality and God's Necessity

This subsection tackles objections that specifically challenge the notion of a First Cause and the concept of God's necessity.

Objection: "If God Is Uncaused, What Caused Him?" Ignores His Purely Actual Nature, Which Excludes a Cause

Feser begins by addressing what he considers the most prevalent and yet misguided objection: "If every effect has a cause, what caused God?" He systematically dismantles this objection, demonstrating how it stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the arguments it aims to refute. He emphasizes that arguments supporting God's existence don't rely on the idea that "all things have causes." Instead, they distinguish between things requiring a cause (contingent beings, blends of possibility and actuality, and composites) and a being that doesn’t (the purely actual, simple, necessary God). Therefore, questioning the cause of God is nonsensical; it's like asking what made real the possibilities of...

Shortform Exercise: Exploring Potentiality and Actuality

Reflect on how the concept of potentiality and actuality relates to change and causation in your life.

Consider a change you have observed in nature, like a flower blooming or leaves falling. What actual conditions are necessary for this potential change to occur?