/lit/ - Literature

>>17792712
The watchmaker argument is never given by Aquinas. His argument is that everything that is in motion is put into motion by another.

>infinite regress possible
Aquinas' argument is operating under the idea of efficient causality (per se). There cannot be an infinite regress since the chain of causality depends on the prior movers. Think of a person holding a stick. The stick being held up depends upon the the bicep muscles, brain, etc. A chain of actualizers and potentials cannot go onto infinity, else, there is no actualization of a potential. It's like trying to say there can be an infinite chain of Christmas lights. There must be a power source. We aren't talking about time here; we are talking about the idea of change. Infinite regress contradicts all experience. The same holds true with logic. We must know the premises before we come to the conclusion.