Medieval Philosophy

History of Medieval Philosophical Theology

• Abrahamic Religions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam• Athens and Jerusalem – religious philosophers

– Christian: St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas– Jewish: Philo of Alexandria, Moses Maimonides– Islamic: Al-Farabi, Avicenna, Averroes

• Literal vs. symbolic interpretation of scripture• Natural (philosophical) (vs. Revealed theology)

– “concept” of God– proofs for the existence of God– Argued against “disproofs” of God’s existence

Abrahamic Concept of ‘God’

• Philosophical attributes– Ruler/Creator of the Universe

– One (monotheism)

– Transcendent, eternal “I am.”

– Omnipotent (creation ex nihilo)

– Omnibenevolent (“all good”)

– Omniscient (all-knowing)

• Revealed attributes (Christian)– Lawgiver to Humankind

– Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

– Savior (first Israel, then Gentiles)

Does God* exist? Philosophical Arguments

Proofs vs. existence

1. Argument from evil

2. Argument from conflict of human freedom and divine omniscience

3. Argument from incoherence of concept of God

Proofs for existence

1. Ontological argument

2. First Mover

3. First Cause

4. Necessary Being

5. Design Argument

Argument from Evil (Epicurus)

1. If God exists, there would be no evil* (suffering of innocents).– Being all good he would not want it– Being all powerful he could prevent it

2. But evil exists.– Evil caused by moral agents [examples?]– Evil caused by non-moral agents, i.e. nature

[examples?]

3. Therefore God does not exist.

Theodicies

‘Weaker’ theodicies1.Punishment theodicy: evil is justified punishment of sinful man (Adam and Eve)

2.God's ways theodicy: God has his own ways, which are beyond human understanding

3.Satan: evil is caused by Satan (the Devil)

4.Afterlife theodicy: evil in this life is not important, compared to the blessings of the world to come

‘Stronger’ theodicies: do they refute the AE? 1.Free will theodicy (Augustine/Hick): evil is caused by human free will, which would not be possible if God prevented evil caused by moral agents

2.Soul-making theodicy (Irenaeus/Hick): evil is necessary for moral growth, which would not be possible if God prevented evil