Theology in philosophy: Revisiting the Five Ways

Abstract

At least in the English-speaking world, those who study the philosophy of religion are usually introduced at an early stage to cosmological proofs of the existence of God, and in particular to the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas. This directs them to a conception of the task of philosophy of religion in general, as well as to certain conception of how to read Aquinas, neither of which is as incontestable as is often assumed. Recent developments in philosophy at large have not always been absorbed in the philosophy of religion Similarly, changing approaches to the study of Aquinas have not yet much affected standard expositions of his arguments for the existence of God. Now that the borders between the philosophy of religion and Christian theology are shifting, however, it seems worthwhile to stand back a little and reflect on the continued plausibility of the standard view. Certain developments outside philosophy challenge received interpretations of Aquinas.