"The Existence of God" Self-Quiz

. According to the ontological argument, God exists because . . .

No ontology could be complete without including a being that necessarily exists

God by definition necessarily exists

God exists in thought

God is that than which nothing greater can be meant, and if God didn't exist, He wouldn't be greatest

. The first objection to God's existence states that by God we mean something infinitely good, and . . .

Nothing could be infinitely good, so God doesn't exist

This isn't the only way someone could define God, so God doesn't necessarily exist

God's existence is thus inconsistent with there being bad things in the world, so God can't exist

God must precede the notion of goodness, and this would be a contradiction, so God doesn't exist

. According to Aquinas, why can't something be its own efficient cause?

Because then there would be no first efficient cause

Because series of causes can't back to infinity

Because then it would be prior to itself, which is impossible

None of the above

. For Aquinas, there must be something maximally true, good, and noble, because . . .

God must exist.

There are a limited number of things in the world.

There must be something by which to measure gradations of goodness, truth, and nobility.

All of the above.

. Which of the following best characterizes Aquinas's response to the objection that God can't exist because there is evil in the world?

Since God is supremely good, He would only allow evil to exist if He could bring good out of it

In order for good to exist, evil must exist

God is infinitely good

None of the above

. Aquinas rejects the ontological argument for the existence of God.

True

False

. According to Aquinas, it is possible that something that undergoes change to cause that change.

True

False

. According to Aquinas, something can't be its own efficient cause.

True

False

Quiz Content