The Prime Mover

The Prime Mover

1. Movement depends on there being a mover. If nothing acted on an object it wouldn't change.

2. If an object is changing or moving then it's being acted on by another object, which is being acted on by another one etc.

   • Infinite Regress (infinite series) is impossible, so the chain must lead to something that moves but is unmoved or motionless - the Prime Mover.

3. The Prime Mover is the cause of change/motion in the universe.

4. Characteristics

   • Has necessary existence = doesn't depend on anything for its existence
   • Not capable of change
   • It is 'actuality by nature'
   • It's nature is good because it doesn't need to change
   • The Final Cause, the ultimate explanation for why things exist
   • A pure, immaterial being. Exists just as thought.
   • Transcendent, impersonal

5. Links the Prime Mover with God, but it's different to in the Bible.

6. Doesn't think about the universe or what happens in it. Then it would change as its knowledge did.

7. This God only thinks about God

8. Evaluation

   • + argument based on cause and effect. It's present in the world as science shows.
   • - We're just not able to cope with the knowledge that nothing is out there.
   • - Existence could be explained by science or chance