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90 - Aquinas' Five Ways Pt. 1

90 - Aquinas' Five Ways Pt. 1

Author: Dr Caitlin West April 16, 2025 Duration: 35:42
Crash Course Catholicism
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityChristianitySpirituality

Welcome to our deep-dive into the question: How do we know God exists?

In this series, we return to the topic of God's existence, which we covered aaall the way back in Episode 2 (!!), and we break it open to explore it more deeply.

In this episode, we look at St. Thomas Aquinas's first three 'ways', or arguments for God's existence. These are among the most famous arguments for the existence of God, and they have been hugely influential in the history of the Philosophy of Religion. They have also been at times misunderstood and misrepresented, so in this series we're taking the time to delve deep and understand what, exactly, Aquinas is arguing.

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae Part 1, Question 2

Summa Contra Gentiles

Edward Feser:

Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide

Five Proofs of the Existence of God

"Scholastic regress arguments"

Catholic Answers, "What Caused God?"

Peter Kreeft, "The First Cause Argument"

Summa of the Summa

Thomas Joseph White:

"The First Way"

"The Second Way"

"The Third Way (I, 2, 3)"

The Thomistic Institute:

"Five Ways to Prove God Exists (Aquinas 101)"

"St. Thomas Aquinas' Favorite Argument for the Existence of God (Aquinas 101)"

"What's Wrong With St. Thomas Aquinas' First Proof for the Existence of God? (Aquinas 101)"

"How St. Thomas Aquinas' Second Way for Proving the Existence of God Works (Aquinas 101)"

"How St. Thomas Proves God's Existence Through Efficient Causality (Aquinas 101)"

"What is Efficient Causality? (Aquinas 101)"

"St. Thomas' Third Way: You Didn't Have To Exist—But You Do! (Aquinas 101)"

"The Third Way: How St. Thomas Argues for God’s Existence From Contingency (Aquinas 101)"

"The Third Way: Another Take On The Argument (Aquinas 101)"

Bishop Barron on Thomas Aquinas and the Argument from Motion



For anyone curious about the foundations, traditions, and everyday implications of the Catholic faith, Crash Course Catholicism offers a thoughtful and accessible entry point. Hosted by theologian Dr Caitlin West, this podcast breaks down complex theological concepts, historical context, and Church teachings into clear, manageable conversations. Each fortnightly episode focuses on a specific topic-from the sacraments and scripture to moral philosophy and liturgical practice-providing listeners with a structured yet engaging overview. Dr West’s approach is both scholarly and welcoming, making centuries of tradition feel relevant and comprehensible. Whether you're a lifelong parishioner seeking a refresher, someone exploring spirituality, or simply a person with questions about the world's largest Christian denomination, this series is designed to inform without overwhelming. Tune in for a calm, considered journey through the pillars of Catholic thought, all delivered in short, easy-to-digest segments perfect for a daily commute or quiet moment of reflection. You can find more from Dr Caitlin West and the podcast at her website.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

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Podcast Episodes
Catechism 101: The Argument from Contingency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:27
In this episode, we continue our series on St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways by exploring his Third Way: the Argument from Contingency. Aquinas begins with a simple but profound observation: the things we encounter in the wor…
Catechism 101: The Argument from Efficient Causality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:14
<p>In this episode, we explore <strong>St Thomas Aquinas' Second Way</strong>, also known as the <strong>Argument from Efficient Causality</strong>. This is a classic cosmological argument for the existence of God.</p><p…
Catechism 101: The Argument from Motion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:15
In this episode, we explore St Thomas Aquinas’ First Way, also known as the Argument from Motion. This is one of the most influential philosophical arguments for the existence of God.Building on our introduction to cosmo…
Catechism 101: The Cosmological Argument for God's Existence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:29
How do we know that God exists? Can reason lead us to God?In this episode, we begin a new series exploring one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: St Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument.Before diving…
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In Part 4 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 4, which describes how artificial intelligence is reshaping truth, work, and freedom.Pope Leo warns that AI is not simply changing…
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Duration: 57:25
Conversion doesn't always happen in a single blinding moment of clarity. Sometimes, like drops of water slowly filling a glass, conversion to the Catholic faith is the result of countless conversations, experiences, and…
Catechism 101: How to be Certain God Exists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
“God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 36In this episode of Catechism 101,…
118 - Social Doctrine in the Digital Age | Magnifica Humanitas Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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What does Catholic Social Doctrine have to say about artificial intelligence?In Part 2 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore chapters 1 and 2 of the encyclical and discover why the Church…

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