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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Divine providence cannot exercise its relationship with the inferior world as a direct causal relationship

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
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    • 1.The argument conflates two distinct relations: ontological dependence (which would be shameful) and causal productivity (which expresses power and goodness).
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    • 2.Aristotle's own account of the unmoved mover permits indirect influence on the sublunary world, yet later Neoplatonists like Proclus showed direct emanation need not compromise the First Principle's self-sufficiency.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If mediated causation preserves divine dignity, the same shameful dependence reappears at each intermediate level, making the solution regressive rather than explanatory.
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    Reason for 2 of 2
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    • 1.In Thomistic metaphysics, God's direct causation of lower beings does not imply dependence on them, since efficient causation flows from perfection to imperfection.
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    • 2.The noble-to-ignoble direction of causation means God's dignity is preserved precisely because causation originates in God's sufficiency, not in any need for inferior things.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If divine providence caused the inferior world directly, the noble (God) would come into being because of the ignoble (inferior things), and the earlier because of the later
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Such a situation would be shameful and unsuitable for the First Principle
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