Aristotelian Rational Theology


Four types of cause according to Aristotle:

  • efficient
  • final
  • formal
  • material


Aristotle's argument:

1. Every effect has an efficient cause (similarly, a final cause, etc.).

2. (Assume:) every cause is itself an effect and has itself a cause.

3. Therefore, causes stretch back to infinity.

4. But this is not possible ("causes cannot go on ad infinitum" -- A.)

5. Therefore, a first cause does not itself have a cause.

6. The first cause, the Unmoved Mover, is God.