The argument we have discussed is indeed convincing. Anselm argued that it is a conceptual
truth that God is a greater Being, and its extent of greatness cannot be possibly reached by any
other being. Further, in Anselm’s argument, God merely exists as an idea in our mind which
asserts that we can still think of something or someone that is greater than God, however, we
can no longer imagine a being which is greater than God, thus, this gives an assurance that He
really exists.
Moreover, Aquinas proposed five ways to prove the existence of God: (1) Motion, (2) Efficient
Cause, (3) Possibility and Necessity, (4) Gradation, and (5) Design. The first way of proving
God’s existence, which is “Motion”, provides that all bodies are either potentially in motion or
actually in motion. Nothing can be at once in both actuality and potentiality in the same respect.
Thus, nothing can be at once in both actuality and potentiality with respect to motion, nothing
can move itself, in order for it to move, something must put it into motion. Since there is a
motion, then, it can be said that God is the first mover. The second way proving God is “Efficient
Cause”, it provides that God is the first cause for everything because if there comes no first
cause, then there cannot be any ultimate effect, however, there are effects that we constantly
witness, hence, God is the first cause for all of them. Third, “Possibility and Necessity”, this
asserts that there shall be a necessary being, which is God. Fourth, “Gradation”, this asserts
that there must be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and
perfection, and in such instances, this is whom we call God. Lastly, “Design”, this asserts that
some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end and this being
is whom we call God.