David Hume’s CritiqueOf St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five “Proofs” for the Existence of God

David Hume 1711 – 1776

a Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian.

considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment.

Hume’s lifework focused on disproving the religious writers of his time.

This all came together in his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, which were finally published in 1779.

Critique of the Argument from

Design

Hume said that human creations are not similar enough to that which occurs in nature to make a connection of cause and effect because we did not see nature being created or evolving.

Criticism of Analogy: First attacked the analogy between human production and nature.

Critique of the Argument from

Design Criticism of Analogy

A Christian response: Since the time of Hume we have advanced in science and our understanding of evolution enough to say that we have witnessed the development of nature and can say that our creations resemble those of nature.

[Ex: FLIGHT VIEW OF CITY VS.CIRCULATORY SYSTEM]

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/08/14/science/20060815_SCILL_GRAPHIC.html?scp=1&sq=Graphic:%20Separated%20at%20Birth?&st=cse

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Comparison to Divinity: Hume claimed that we could not say that God was perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, or all-loving if we are similar to God, because humanity does not possess these attributes.

In claiming that we reflect the image of our creator, as effects bear resemblance to their cause, we destroy our theology.

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Comparison to Divinity

A Christian response: By God coming to earth as man (Jesus), we have been shown that humanity can in fact possess these traits. We are charged to work towards them with Jesus as an example.

“For every similarity we share with God, there is an even greater dissimilarity.” – Fourth Lateran Council

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Anthropomorphism: Hume claimed that with the cause and effect theory we are painting an increasingly human picture of God, making God less godly and more mortal.

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Anthropomorphism

A Christian response: Describing God in human terms in no way makes God less godly. Jesus showed us that in fully living up to our humanity that we are most like God.

MT 5:48 - “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

“The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” – St. Irenaeus

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Comparison to Nature:

Hume claimed that since plants and animals also create in a manner that reflects the order of nature, would they not also be similar to God?

Critique of the First Cause Argument

Comparison to Nature

A Christian response: Inasmuch as they contribute to life or creation they do resemble God as creator. We believe that this creative force or energy is the Holy Spirit among us giving life.

But plants and animals are different from us, and do NOT resemble God since they cannot decipher the order of creation; they simply participate in it.

Critique of the Greatest Good

Criticism of Religious Traditionalism:

Hume said that even if God did create all things, this does not mean that he is a moral or very wise creature, (especially because of natural disaster).

Critique of the Greatest Good

Criticism of Religious Traditionalism:

A Christian response: The mere reality of creation being about life and change (kinetic) tells us that God is about creating and building up (goodness, love) not destruction and death (evil, immorality).

• Natural disasters (floods, fires) are important in actively altering the planet, often making changes necessary for further life.

• Ex: LODGEPOLE PINE TREES

General Critique of the Proofs

Materialism:

Hume suggests that we cannot be sure that creation is not some huge cosmic accident.

General Critique of the Proofs

Materialism:

A Christian response: In so far as we recognize the hand of God in the world every day, we believe that God was also active in the same way when the universe was born.

(Essentially, if we believe in God AT ALL, we would attribute the creation of the world to Him.)