What is Efficient Causality? (Aquinas 101)

How do we know that God exists? Can we know him by reason alone? In this episode of Aquinas 101: What is Efficient Causality?, join Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., a Dominican friar from the Province of St. Joseph, as he presents how what efficient causality is and how it relates to St. Thomas Aquinas' Second Way for proving the existence of God.

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Aquinas 101 is a project of the Thomistic Institute that seeks to promote Catholic truth through short, engaging video lessons. You can browse earlier videos at your own pace or enroll in one of our Aquinas 101 email courses on St. Thomas Aquinas and his masterwork, the Summa Theologiae. In these courses, you'll learn from expert scientists, philosophers, and theologians—including Dominican friars from the Province of St. Joseph.

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[zachhecita]

Fr. Cajetan Cuddy has such a soothing voice! He should narrate more of your videos, if he hasn't already.

[OldMovieRob]

You have one of the most relaxing voices I've ever heard.

[eddesa]

One of the greatest US Presidents made this philosophy easily understood to the non-philosopher: he said "I'd love to invite an atheist to a wonderful meal and after the atheist enjoyed the meal ask him "Do you think from this meal that a cook must exist?".

[stillmrblonde]

You can already see the argument coming together and completing itself based on your explanation of efficient causality, but I really appreciate the slow and precise format you’re using to articulate the second way. It is the best and most convincing way in my humble opinion and was instrumental in my path towards Catholicism.

[superdavidss]

I've always been inclined to religious life. But now I'm too old. I like a lot the dominican vocation. God bless you for effort in teaching the Faith and the Reason behind her. 😄

[conovan]

This channel is a blessing, it has top notch presentation, which is sadly one of the most important things these days, people really are conditioned to reject lower quality videos irregardless of content, luckily this channel has both the quality and the content.
God bless you all.

[macjeffff]

These videos are fabulous. The production values and overall design are magnificent. Thank you.

[saragarddiner]

Yes, I really enjoy the information. Very well done. I enjoy the videos. Thank you. x

[MacKenziePoet]

Perfect. What is the efficient cause of a "pope" who teaches heresy? It cannot be the Church.

[soopermen]

Are the sculptors' tools considered to be the same efficient cause as the sculptor himself? or are they a different intermediary cause, or outside the question entirely? thanks!

[bedrosnersesyan]

The broadcaster sounds a bit like Laurence Fishburn....

[keenanarthur]

I'm hoping the third video makes an argument that would convince the most skeptical evolutionary biologists out there, whom I would imagine saying that our efficient cause is our parents.

[stephenmerritt]

The bust of Aristotle exists within the mind of its creator even before the tools were picked up and the block set in place.

[jordanh]

I am agnostic on the existence of God. I am considering converting to Christianity because of St. Thomas's arguments and your videos. God bless