Ep 30: Aquinas' 4th Way [feat. Gaven Kerr]

In this episode we are joined again with Dr. Gaven Kerr to discuss Aquinas’ famous 5 Ways, in particular the 4th Way of gradation/participation.

Accordingly, there is found in things something more or less good, and true, and noble, and such like. But “more” and “less” are said of diverse things according as they diversely approach what is [so] maximally; just as the hotter is that which approaches what is maximally hot. There is Something then that is most true, and best, and most noble and consequently maximally in being (maxime ens); for what are maximally true, are maximally beings, as is said in the second book of the Metaphysics. Now, what is maximally such in a given genus is the cause of all members of that genus, as fire which is maximally hot is the cause of all hot things. Therefore, there is something which is the cause for all beings of esse and goodness and of every other perfection and this we call God.

Summa Theologiae Q 2 A. 3: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1002....

God His Existence and His Nature Vol. 1: https://www.amazon.com/God-Existence-...

God His Existence and His Nature: https://www.amazon.com/God-Existence-...

Brian Kemple Participation and the Divine: https://realityjournal.org/2019/05/19...

Note: A lot of what we discuss in this episode regarding the real distinction and participation was discussed in depth in previous episodes:

Real Distinction Episode:    • Ep 14: Aquinas and De Ente [feat. Gav...  

Participation Episode:    • Ep 16: Aquinas and Participation [fea...