. This is because in every ordered series of efficient causes the first member of the series causes the intermediate member or members (whether the intermediate be one or many members), which in turn cause the final member. If you eliminate a cause you eliminate its effects, so there will not be final or intermediate members in the series unless there is a first member. Given if the series goes on forever, then there will be no first efficient cause, and so there will be no intermediate efficient causes and no final/last effect, and this would be an open mistake which is obviously false. For example, a table is brought into being by a carpenter, who is in turn caused by his parents. Evidently, we cannot go on to infinity. Therefore, one is forced to suppose some first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name ‘God’.In summary, Aquinas’ second way states that no object created itself, or is found to be the efficient cause of itself because if this was the case, the object would have to be prior to itself, which is impossible. Consequently, we see that one object’s existence is simultaneously dependant on the other. However, there cannot be an endless string of objects causing other objects to exist so there must be an uncaused first cause. Therefore, in conclusion, the uncaused cause exists and is called God.What are the main ideas in Aquinas’ first two ways? Basically, I perceive that his arguments are equivalent to the proposition, “There is no thing that came from nothing.”The first argument is about motion, which means every kind of change, not just local motion or change of place, but also ripening, heating, etc. There must always be a cause for any change, a “moving” cause. The second argument is very similar, about “efficient” causes. The difference between a “moving” cause and an “efficient” cause is that the moving cause produces an...
