The Five Ways

The Five Ways are five arguments developed by the philosopher Thomas Aquinas to demonstrate God's existence. They are based on observing the world: first, that everything has a cause (it didn’t come from nothing); second, that things in motion are set in motion by something else; third, that there is a best example or maximum (like perfect goodness) that points to a perfect being; fourth, that contingency (things that could not exist) implies a necessary being that exists by itself; and fifth, that order and purpose in the universe suggest an intelligent designer. These ideas use logical reasoning to explore the existence of a fundamental, uncaused, and purposeful being—that is, God.