PHL 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Summa Theologica, Four Causes
Document Summary
In the world of sense there is an order of efficient causes. It is not possible for something to be the efficient cause of itself. In efficient causes, it is not possible to go on to infinity . You cannot have a case where one thing is being caused by another thing and that thing is being caused by another continuing. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of god. In all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause. To take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause.
