Open AccessThe Complexity of a Simple God
Author(s) -
Matthew R. J. Morris
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
axis mundi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-2578
DOI - 10.29173/axismundi88
Subject(s) - theism , argument (complex analysis) , epistemology , philosophy , doctrine , simplicity , simple (philosophy) , teleological argument , existence of god , order (exchange) , philosophy of religion , theology , economics , chemistry , biochemistry , teleology , finance
Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion is a recent popular attack on theism. Rather than rely on empirical evidence, Dawkins attempts to disprove the existence of all supernatural entities through a philosophical argument: anything complex enough to create an organism must itself have been designed. The validity of this argument rests on Dawkins’ use of Thomas Aquinas’ First Way. This paper will explore Aquinas’ First Way and the Doctrine of Divine Simplicity in order to better assess Dawkins’ argument.