Aquinas’s Real Distinction and Its Role in a Causal Proof of God’s Existence

Gyula Klima

doi:10.18290/rf.2019.67.4-1

Gyula Klima Fordham University, New York https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1597-7039

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rf.2019.67.4-1

Keywords: Aquinas’s argument, Kerr’s reconstruction, criticisms of Aquinas’s argument, Kenny’s critique of Aquinas, Buridan’s critique

Abstract

This paper is not going to offer any criticism of the way Gaven Kerr treats Aquinas’ argument. Instead, it offers an alternative way of reconstructing Aquinas’ argument, intending to strengthen especially those controversial aspects of it that Kerr’s reconstruction left untreated or in relative obscurity. Accordingly, although the paper’s treatment will have to have some overlaps with Kerr’s (such as the critique of Kenny’s critique of Aquinas), it will deal with issues essential to adequate replies to certain competent criticisms of his argument untreated by Kerr (such as Buridan’s critique). For the sake of the “formally inclined” reader, the paper’s treatment will also include an Appendix offering a formal reconstruction of both the main argument and its sub-arguments to demonstrate the formal rigor of Aquinas’ original.

Author Biography

Gyula Klima, Fordham University, New York

Gyula Klima, PhD — Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York, NY, USA

References

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Klima, Gyula. “On Kenny on Aquinas on Being: A critical review of Aquinas on Being by Anthony Kenny,” feature review in International Philosophical Quarterly 44 (2004): 567–580.

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